Scrapie Eradication 

Uniform Methods and Rules 

 June 1, 2005

United States 

Department of 

Agriculture 

Animal and 

Plant Health 

Inspection 

Service 

APHIS 91-55-079 
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and 

activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, 

sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) 

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program 

information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 

(202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326–

W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250–9410 or call 

(202) 720–5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 

Mention of companies or commercial products does not imply recommendation or endorsement 

by the USDA over others not mentioned. USDA neither guarantees nor warrants the standard of 

any product mentioned. Product names are mentioned solely to report factually on available data 

and to provide specific information. 

Issued June 1, 2005 
Contents 

Introduction 

Part I Definitions 1-16 

Part II Administrative Procedures 17-25 

Part III Identification Requirements 26-33 

Part IV Shows and Sales 34 

Part V Program Stages 35 

Part VI Monitoring and Surveillance 36 

Part VII Epidemiology 37-54 

 

Part VIII Flock Cleanup Plans 55-58 

Part IX Diagnostic Laboratory Approval Procedures 59 

 and Test Interpretation 

Part X Reports 59-61 

Comment [VGC1]: need to add 

page numbers 
Introduction 

Scrapie Eradication Uniform Methods and Rules (UM&R) are cooperative procedures and 

standards adopted by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Consistent 

States for controlling and eradicating scrapie. These UM&R are intended to assist State and 

Federal animal health personnel in implementing the scrapie eradication program consistently 

and equitably throughout the United States. 

This publication provides the program standards and procedures for the Cooperative State–

Federal–Industry Scrapie Program. They are set up for the prevention, monitoring, control, and 

eradication of scrapie disease from domestic sheep flocks and goat herds and for maintenance of 

State status in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Scrapie Eradication Program. Flock 

plan agreements or postexposure management and monitoring plan agreements made before the 

effective date of these standards will remain in force unless changed by mutual agreement of 

APHIS, the State, and the owner. 

The contents of this document have been approved by USDA, APHIS, Veterinary Services (VS), 

and incorporate recommendations from the Scrapie Working Group, which included State and 

Federal veterinarians from 17 States, other State animal health authorities, industry 

representatives, members of the industry, and the United States Animal Health Association. 

 

These UM&R will be reviewed at least annually by representatives of the livestock industry and 

appropriate State and Federal agencies and will be revised as needed by USDA–APHIS. In 

addition, this publication may be amended in the future by replacing pages or by adding new 

pages. 

Additional information (such as sample formats, detailed instructions on data entry and tissue 

collection, and calculators) is available to State and Federal animal health employees in the 

APHIS Scrapie Program QuickPlace, which is located on the Internet at 

https://qp01.aphis.usda.gov/QuickPlace/scrapie/Main.nsf?OpenData. 

Access to the QuickPlace is limited to State and Federal employees. To request a QuickPlace 

user name and password, contact the Scrapie Program Specialist by telephone at (301) 734–

6954, or by e-mail at scrapie_program@aphis.usda.gov.
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Part I—Definitions 

Any definitions pertaining to scrapie published in parts 54 and 79 of the Title 9, Code of Federal 

Regulations (9 CFR), after the date of publication of these UM&R supersede these definitions. 

Accredited veterinarian

A veterinarian approved by the Administrator of USDA–APHIS to perform functions required 

by cooperative State-Federal animal disease control and eradication programs. 

Administrator

The Administrator of APHIS or any employee of USDA to whom the Administrator has 

delegated authority to act in his or her place. 

Animal

Any sheep or goat. 

APHIS

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

APHIS representative

An individual employed by APHIS in animal health activities who is authorized by the 

Administrator to perform specific functions and duties. 

Approved laboratory

A diagnostic laboratory approved by the Administrator to conduct, on one or more tissues, 

approved tests for scrapie or genetic susceptibility to scrapie. 

Approved test

A test for the diagnosis of scrapie approved by the Administrator of APHIS for use in the scrapie 

eradication or certification program. 

Area Veterinarian in Charge (AVIC)

The veterinary official of APHIS assigned by the Administrator to supervise and perform the 

official animal health work of APHIS in the State concerned. 

Blackface sheep

Any purebred Suffolk, Hampshire, Shropshire, or cross thereof; any nonpurebred sheep known 

to have Suffolk, Hampshire, or Shropshire ancestors; and any nonpurebred sheep of unknown 

ancestry with a black face except for hair sheep. Note that hair sheep known to have Suffolk, 

Hampshire, or Shropshire ancestors are considered blackface sheep. 
 2 

Breed associations and registries

Organizations that maintain the permanent records of ancestry or pedigrees (including the 

animal's sire and dam), individual identification, and ownership of animals. 

Breeding sheep and goats 

Any sexually intact sheep or goat that is not moving directly to slaughter, through slaughter 

channels to slaughter, or to a feedlot to enhance its condition for movement to slaughter. 

Certificate

An official document issued in accordance with 9 CFR 79.5 by an APHIS representative, State 

representative, or accredited veterinarian at the point of origin of an interstate movement of 

animals. 

Commercial sheep or goat

Any animal from a flock from which animals are moved only either directly to slaughter or 

through slaughter channels to slaughter, or any animal raised only for meat or fiber production 

and not registered with a sheep or goat registry or used for exhibition. 

Commingled, commingling

Animals grouped together having physical contact with each other, including contact through a 

fence with a confined lambing area or lambing animals, but not limited contact (as defined 

below). Commingling includes sharing the same section in a transportation unit where physical 

contact can occur. In cases of shared fence lines, the Designated Scrapie Epidemiologist (DSE) 

will determine whether commingling has occurred through the fence based on relevant factors 

such as the type, integrity, and location of the fence, the proximity of lambing, and the stocking 

density. 

Consistent State

A State, listed in 9 CFR 79.1, that the Administrator has determined conducts an effective State 

scrapie control program and is in compliance with 9 CFR 79.6. 

Deputy Administrator

The Deputy Administrator for USDA–APHIS–VS or any other official to whom the 

Administrator has delegated authority to act for the Deputy Administrator. 

Designation of a flock or animal 

The official determination by the DSE that an animal or flock has a particular disease status or 

classification. 
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Designated Scrapie Epidemiologist (DSE)

A State or Federal veterinarian designated by APHIS to make decisions about the use and 

interpretation of diagnostic tests and field investigation data and the management of scrapie–

affected flocks. 

Destroyed 

• Euthanized by means other than slaughter and the carcass disposed of by means 

authorized by the Administrator; 

• In the case of exposed or high-risk animals not known to be infected, either euthanized or 

disposed of by slaughter; or 

• Moved to a quarantined research facility if the Administrator has approved the 

movement. 

Direct movement to slaughter

Animals that are transported to a facility for slaughter without unloading en route, other than for 

food and water, and that are not commingled with any other animals during transport or at such 

food and water stops. 

Electronic implant

Any radio–frequency identification implant device approved for use in the scrapie program by 

the Administrator. 

Exposed animal 

Any animal that has been in a flock or in an enclosure off the premises of the flock with a 

scrapie-positive female animal or that has resided on the premises of a flock before or while it 

was designated an infected or source flock and before a flock plan was completed unless the 

scrapie-positive animal was not born on the premises, the date on which it was first introduced to 

the premises is known, and the animal resided in the flock only before the scrapie-positive 

animal was introduced to the premises. Exposed animals will be designated as either genetically 

resistant exposed sheep, genetically less susceptible exposed sheep, genetically susceptible 

exposed animals, or low-risk exposed animals. 

Exposed embryo 

Any embryo that was collected from an exposed, suspect, or scrapie-positive animal. 
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Exposed flock 

Any flock that was designated an infected or source flock that has completed a flock plan and 

that retained a high-risk animal. Any flock under investigation that retains a genetically 

susceptible exposed animal or a suspect animal. Any flock under investigation whose owner 

declines to complete the required genotyping and live-animal or necropsy scrapie testing. Any 

flock that is not in compliance with a postexposure management and monitoring plan (PEMMP). 

A flock that has completed a PEMMP following the exposure will no longer be an exposed 

flock. 

Female animal 

A sexually intact female sheep or goat. 

Flock or herd 

All animals maintained on a single premises and all animals under common ownership or 

supervision on two or more premises with animal interchange between the premises. Changes in 

ownership of part or all of a flock do not change the identity of the flock or the regulatory 

requirements applicable to the flock. Animals maintained temporarily on a premises for 

activities such as shows and sales or while in marketing channels are not a flock. More than one 

flock may be maintained on a single premises if: 

a. The flocks are enrolled as separate flocks in the Scrapie Flock Certification Program 

(SFCP); or 

b. A State or APHIS representative determines, based on examination of flock records, that: 

• No female animals have moved between the flocks; 

• The flocks never commingle and are kept at least 30 feet apart at all times or are 

separated by a solid wall through, over, or under which fluids cannot pass and 

through which contact cannot occur; 

• The flocks have separate flock records and identification; 

• The flocks have separate lambing facilities, including buildings and pastures, and a 

pasture or building used for lambing by one flock is not used by the other flock at 

any time; and 

• The flocks do not share equipment without cleaning and disinfection in accordance 

with the guidelines published in 9 CFR 54.7. 

Flock ID 

See premises identification number. 

Flock of origin

For male animals, the flock of birth. For female animals, the flock in which an animal most 

recently resided in which it either was born, gave birth, or resided during lambing. The 

determination that an animal originated in a flock must be based either on the physical presence 

of the animal in the flock, the presence of official identification on the animal traceable to the 
 5 

flock, the presence of other identification on the animal that is listed on the bill of sale, or other 

evidence, such as registry records. 

 

Flock plan

A written flock management agreement signed by the owner of a flock, the accredited 

veterinarian (if one is employed by the owner), and a State or APHIS representative in which 

each participant agrees to undertake actions specified in the flock plan to control the spread of 

scrapie from, and eradicate scrapie in, an infected flock or source flock or to reduce the risk of 

the occurrence of scrapie in a flock that contains a high-risk or an exposed animal. As part of a 

flock plan, the flock owner must provide the facilities and personnel needed to carry out the 

requirements of the flock plan. The flock plan must include the requirements in 9 CFR 54.8.

Flock under investigation (FUI)

Any flock in which a scrapie suspect animal was born or lambed. Any flock containing a female 

high-risk or suspect animal or that once contained such an animal that may have lambed in the 

flock and from which obex and lymphoid tissues either were not submitted for official testing or 

were not found negative. A flock that has completed the required genotyping and live-animal or 

necropsy scrapie testing, that is in compliance with a PEMMP if one is required, or that has been 

designated an infected, source, or exposed flock will no longer be a flock under investigation. 

Genetically less susceptible exposed sheep 

• Any exposed AA QR sheep or embryo unless it is epidemiologically linked to a scrapiepositive RR or AA QR sheep. (The definitions for these acronyms are given under the 

definition of “Genotypes of Sheep.”) 

• Any exposed AV QR sheep or embryo unless it is epidemiologically linked to a scrapiepositive RR, QR, AV QQ, or VV QQ sheep. 

Genetically resistant exposed sheep 

Any exposed RR sheep or embryo unless it is epidemiologically linked to a scrapie positive RR 

sheep. 

Genetically susceptible animal 

• A goat or goat embryo; 

• A QQ sheep or embryo; 

• A sheep or embryo of undeterminable genotype; or 

• A genetically susceptible exposed animal. 

Genetically susceptible exposed animal 

Any exposed animal or embryo other than a low-risk exposed animal that is one of the following: 

• A goat or goat embryo; 

• A QQ sheep or sheep embryo; 
 6 

• A sheep or sheep embryo of undeterminable genotype; 

• An AV QR sheep or sheep embryo that is epidemiologically linked to a scrapie-positive 

RR, QR, AV QQ, or VV QQ sheep*; 

• An AA QR sheep or sheep embryo that is epidemiologically linked to a scrapie-positive 

RR or AA QR sheep; or 

• An RR sheep or sheep embryo that is epidemiologically linked to a scrapie positive RR 

sheep. 

*Note: AV QR sheep or sheep embryo epidemiologically linked to a positive animal for which 

the 136 codon type either cannot be determined or is unavailable at time of depopulation may 

also be removed. 

Genotypes of sheep 

Two locations on DNA that code for prion protein are particularly important for scrapie 

susceptibility: codons 136 and 171. Codon 136 may code for either of the amino acids alanine 

(A) or valine (V). Codon 171 may code for the amino acids arginine (R), glutamine (Q), 

histidine (H), or lysine (K). For the purposes of these UM&R, H, K, or any amino acid other 

than R at codon 171 will be treated as equivalent to Q at codon 171. 

RR sheep 

Any sheep that has tested RR at codon 171 on an official genotype test. APHIS may require 

confirmatory testing before designating a sheep as RR. 

QR sheep 

Any sheep that has tested QR, KR, or HR at codon 171 on an official genotype test. APHIS may 

require confirmatory testing before designating a sheep as QR. 

QQ sheep 

Any sheep that has tested QQ, QK, QH, HK, KK, or HH at codon 171 on an official genotype 

test. APHIS may require confirmatory testing before designating a sheep as QQ. 

AV sheep 

Any sheep that has tested AV at codon 136 on an official genotype test. APHIS may require 

confirmatory testing before designating a sheep as AV. 

VV sheep 

Any sheep that has tested VV at codon 136 on an official genotype test. APHIS may require 

confirmatory testing before designating a sheep as VV. 

AA sheep 

Any sheep that has tested AA at codon 136 on an official genotype test. APHIS may require 
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confirmatory testing before designating a sheep as AA. 

AA QR sheep 

Any sheep that has tested QR, KR, or HR at codon 171 and AA at codon 136 on an official 

genotype test. APHIS may require confirmatory testing before designating a sheep as AA QR. 

AV QR sheep 

Any sheep that has tested QR, KR, or HR at codon 171 and AV at codon 136 on an official 

genotype test. APHIS may require confirmatory testing before designating a sheep as AV QR. 

AA QQ sheep 

Any sheep that has tested QQ, QK, QH, HK, KK, or HH at codon 171 and AA at codon 136 on 

an official genotype test. APHIS may require confirmatory testing before designating a sheep as 

AA QQ. 

AV QQ sheep 

Any sheep that has tested QQ, QK, QH, HK, KK, or HH at codon 171 and AV at codon 136 on 

an official genotype test. APHIS may require confirmatory testing before designating a sheep as 

AV QQ. 

VV QQ sheep 

Any sheep that has tested QQ, QK, QH, HK, KK, or HH at codon 171 and VV at codon 136 on 

an official genotype test. APHIS may require confirmatory testing before designating a sheep as 

VV QQ. 

High-risk animal 

Any female genetically susceptible exposed animal. The female offspring of a scrapie-positive 

female animal or any female genetically less susceptible exposed animal that the DSE (with the 

concurrence of the AVIC, State Veterinarian, Regional Scrapie Epidemiologist, and National 

Scrapie Program Coordinator) determines to be a potential risk based on the epidemiology of the 

flock, including genetics of the positive sheep, the prevalence of scrapie in the flock, any history of 

recurrent infection, or other characteristics. 

Inconsistent State

Any State other than a Consistent State. 

Infected flock

Any flock in which a State or APHIS representative has determined that a scrapie-positive 

female animal has resided unless an epidemiological investigation conducted by a State or 

APHIS representative shows that the animal did not lamb or abort in the flock. A flock will no 

longer be considered an infected flock after it has completed the requirements of a flock plan.

 
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Interstate commerce

Trade, traffic, transportation, or other commerce between a place in a State and any place outside 

of that State or between points within a State but through any place outside that State. 

Limited contact

Any contact with a male animal or brief contact with a female animal off the flock’s premises, 

such as occurs in the show or sales ring at fairs, shows, exhibitions, markets, and sales; between 

ewes being inseminated, flushed, or implanted; or between rams at ram test or collection stations. 

Embryo transfer and artificial insemination equipment and surgical tools must be disinfected 

between animals from different flocks by soaking the tools in a 2 percent available chlorine 

bleach solution or a 2 molar solution of sodium hydroxide for 1 hour or another disinfectant 

approved by the Administrator for this use for these contacts to be considered limited contacts. 

Limited contacts do not include any contact, brief, or otherwise, including contacts through a 

fence, with an animal during or up to 30 days after she lambed, kidded, or aborted or when there 

is any visible vaginal discharge other than that associated with estrus. Limited contacts do not 

include any activity where uninhibited contact occurs with a female animal, such as sharing an 

enclosure, sharing a section of a transport vehicle, or residing in other flocks for breeding or 

other purposes, except as allowed by the SFCP standards. 

Live-animal screening test

Any test for the diagnosis of scrapie in a live animal that is approved by the Administrator as 

usually reliable but not definitive for diagnosing scrapie and that is conducted in a laboratory 

approved by the Administrator.1

Low-risk commercial flock 

A flock composed of commercial whitefaced, whitefaced cross, or commercial hair sheep or 

commercial goats that were born in, and have resided throughout their lives in, flocks with no 

known risk factors for scrapie, including any exposure to female blackfaced sheep other than 

 

1

 The names and addresses of laboratories approved by the Administrator to conduct live-animal 

screening tests will be published in the notices section of the Federal Register. A list of 

approved laboratories is also available upon request from the APHIS, VS, National Animal 

Health Programs Staff, 4700 River Road, Unit 43, Riverdale, MD 20737–1235. State, Federal, 

and university laboratories will be approved by the Administrator when he or she determines that 

the laboratory (a) employs personnel trained by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories 

(NVSL) assigned to supervise the testing, (b) follows standard test protocols, (c) meets check test 

proficiency requirements, and (d) will report all test results to State and Federal animal health 

officials. Before the Administrator may withdraw approval of any laboratory for failure to meet 

any of these conditions, the Administrator must give written notice of the proposed withdrawal 

to the director of the laboratory and must give the director an opportunity to respond. If there are 

conflicts as to any material fact, a hearing will be held to resolve the conflicts.
 9 

whiteface crosses born on the premises; that have never contained a scrapie-positive female, 

suspect female, or high-risk animal; and that have never been an infected, exposed, or source 

flock or a flock under investigation. The animals are identified with a legible permanent brand 

or ear notch pattern registered with an official brand registry or with an official premises 

identification eartag. The term “brand” includes official brand registry brands on eartags in 

those States whose brand law or regulation recognizes brands placed on eartags as official 

brands. Low-risk commercial flocks may exist only in a State where in the previous 10 years no 

low-risk commercial flock has been designated a source or infected flock. 

Low-risk commercial goat 

A low-risk goat (see definition of low-risk goat) from a herd in which animals are moved to 

slaughter only directly or through slaughter channels or any animal raised only for meat or fiber 

production and not registered with a sheep or goat registry or used for exhibition. 

Low-risk exposed animal

Any exposed animal to which the DSE has determined one or more of the following applies: 

• The positive animal was not born in the flock and did not lamb in the flock or in an 

enclosure where the exposed animal resided; 

• The exposed animal most likely resided in the infected or source flock only before 

scrapie was introduced to the premises. This determination will be based on the flock 

history. If there is no information on which to base such a determination, the date 5 years 

prior to the earliest known exposure will be used. Note: If the precise date of scrapie 

introduction is known, such as when the positive animal is a purchased animal, an animal 

that transited the premises prior to that date is not an exposed animal; 

• With the concurrence of a Regional or National Scrapie Epidemiologist and the State 

Veterinarian that the exposed animal’s exposure was low risk That is, the animal was 

maintained on the premises in a location or during a time period when infection was 

highly unlikely to have occurred and was not exposed to the lambing or kidding of an 

infected animal or to lambing or kidding in an infected or source flock or to the lambing 

or kidding area in such flocks before it had been cleaned or disinfected; 

• The animal is male and was not born in an infected or source flock; or 

• The animal is a wether. 

Low-risk goat

A goat that is not a scrapie-positive, suspect, high-risk, or exposed animal; that has not been 

commingled with sheep other than sheep from low-risk commercial flocks; and that is from: 

• A State in which scrapie has not been identified in a goat during the previous 10 years; 

• A State in which scrapie has been identified in a goat during the previous 10 years, but 

the scrapie-positive goat was not born in the State, resided in the State for less than 72 

months, and did not kid while in the State; or 
 10 

• A State in which scrapie has been identified in a goat during the previous 10 years and 

the scrapie-positive goat was commingled with sheep and the flock records allowed a 

complete epidemiological investigation to be completed and all resulting infected, source, 

and exposed goat herds had completed flock plans and were in compliance with postexposure monitoring and management plans. 

Male animal 

A sexually intact male sheep or goat. 

Mortgage

Any mortgage, lien, or other security or beneficial interest held by any person other than the one 

claiming indemnity. 

National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL)

The USDA–APHIS–National Veterinary Services Laboratories and their cooperating and 

contract laboratories. 

Noncompliant flock

• Any source or infected flock whose owner declines to enter into a flock plan or PEMMP 

agreement within 60 days of being so designated or whose owner is not in compliance 

with either agreement; 

• Any exposed flock or flock under investigation whose owner fails to make animals 

available for testing within 60 days of notification, or as mutually agreed, or whose 

owner fails to submit required postmortem samples as directed in the PEMMP; 

• Any flock whose owner has misrepresented, or who employs a person who has 

misrepresented, the scrapie status of an animal or any other information on a certificate, 

permit, owner statement, or other official document within the last 5 years; or 

• Any flock whose owner or manager has moved, or who employs a person who has 

moved, an animal in violation of 9 CFR, part 79, within the last 5 years. 

Official eartag

An identification eartag approved by APHIS as being sufficiently tamper resistant for the 

intended use and providing unique identification for each animal. An official eartag may 

conform to the alphanumeric National Uniform Ear-Tagging System or another system approved 

by APHIS, or it may bear an APHIS-approved premises identification number that either 

contains a unique identification number or is used in conjunction with the producer’s livestock 

production numbering system to provide a unique identification number. 

Official genotype test

Any test to determine the genotype of a live or dead animal conducted at either an approved 

laboratory (see definition) or at NVSL when the animal is officially identified and the samples 
 11 

are collected and shipped to the laboratory by either an accredited veterinarian or a State or 

APHIS representative. APHIS may require confirmatory testing before designating an exposed 

sheep genetically resistant or less susceptible. 

Official identification

Identification approved by APHIS for use in the scrapie eradication program. 

Official test

Any test for the diagnosis of scrapie in a live or dead animal that is approved by the 

Administrator of APHIS for that use and conducted either at an approved laboratory or at NVSL. 

Owner

A person, partnership, company, corporation, or any other legal entity that has legal or rightful 

title to animals, whether or not they are subject to a mortgage. 

Owner statement

A written statement by the owner that includes the owner’s name, signature, address, and 

telephone number, the date the animals left the flock of origin, the identification number 

assigned to the premises, the number of animals, the premises portion of the premises 

identification if premises identification is used, and a statement that the animals were either born 

or were used for breeding purposes on the premises to which the premises identification is 

assigned. (Note: Statements for animals not identified to their flock of origin that are moved in 

interstate commerce to a market or slaughter facility where they will be identified must include 

the name and address of the market or slaughter facility to which they are being shipped.) 

Permit

An official document issued in connection with the interstate movement of animals (VS form 1–

27 or a State form that contains the same information) by an APHIS representative, State 

representative, or an accredited veterinarian authorized to sign such permits. A new permit is 

required for each change in destination for an animal. A permit lists the owner's name and 

address; points of origin and destination; number of animals covered; purpose of the movement; 

whether the animals are from an exposed flock, flock under investigation, noncompliant, 

infected, or source flock; whether the animal is a high-risk, exposed, scrapie-positive, or scrapie 

suspect animal; transportation vehicle license number or other identification number; and seal 

number (if a seal is used). A permit also lists all official identifications on the animals covered. 

Official identifications may include the eartag number; a registered breed association’s 

registration tattoo, brand, or number; a USDA backtag (when applied serially, only the beginning 

and ending numbers need to be recorded), or any other form of official identification present on 

the animal. 
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Person number 

A unique number assigned to an accredited veterinarian or an APHIS or State representative that 

is recorded in the Scrapie National Generic Database (SNGD) and used to allocate tags and to 

identify that person on documents such as test charts. 

Postexposure management and monitoring plan (PEMMP)

A written agreement signed by the owner of a flock, any accredited veterinarian employed by the 

owner, and a State or APHIS representative in which each participant agrees to undertake actions 

specified in the agreement to reduce the risk of the occurrence of scrapie and to monitor for the 

occurrence of scrapie in the flock for at least 5 years after the last high-risk or scrapie-positive 

animal is removed from the flock or after the last exposure of the flock to a scrapie-positive 

animal unless the monitoring time is otherwise specified by a State or APHIS representative. As 

part of a PEMMP, the flock owner must provide the facilities and personnel needed to carry out 

the required elements listed in the plan. The plan must include the requirements in 9 CFR 54.8. 

Premises

The ground, area, buildings, and equipment occupied by, or used for, one or more flocks of 

animals. 

Premises identification

An APHIS-approved eartag or tattoo bearing the premises identification number, which is either 

the national premises identification number or the Postal Service State abbreviation followed by 

a unique alphanumeric number or name assigned by a State or Federal animal health official to 

the premises on which the sheep or goats originated that, in the judgment of the State animal 

health official or AVIC, is epidemiologically distinct from other premises; or a permanent brand 

or ear notch pattern registered with an official brand registry. Premises identification may be 

used when official individual animal identification is required if the premises identification 

method either includes a unique animal number or is used in conjunction with the producer's 

livestock production numbering system to provide a unique identification number and when, if 

brands or ear notches are used, the animals are accompanied by an official brand inspection 

certificate. Paint brands may be used on animals moving directly to slaughter and animals 

moving for grazing or other management purposes without change in ownership. 

Premises identification number 

A unique number used on official eartags and tattoos to identify the premises of origin of an 

animal and that is recorded in the SNGD. The first two digits are the Postal Service abbreviation 

for States followed by an alphanumeric number that does not include I, O, or Q or is the national 

premises identification number. 

Premises number 

A unique number identifying a premises in the SNGD. 
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Program

The cooperative State-Federal-Industry program administered by APHIS and Consistent States to 

control and eradicate scrapie. 

Scrapie

A nonfebrile, transmissible, insidious degenerative disease affecting the central nervous system 

(CNS) of sheep and goats. 

Scrapie control pilot project

A pilot project authorized by the Administrator in writing, designed to test or improve program 

procedures or to facilitate research to control and eradicate scrapie. In addition to APHIS, 

participants may include State animal health agencies, flock owners, and other parties as 

necessary. (Pilot projects are established through a memorandum of understanding between a 

State and APHIS.) 

Scrapie Eradication Program

The cooperative State-Federal-Industry program administered by APHIS and Consistent States to 

control and eradicate scrapie. 

Scrapie Eradication Uniform Methods and Rules (UM&R)

Cooperative procedures and standards adopted by APHIS and Consistent States for controlling 

and eradicating scrapie. 

Scrapie Flock Certification Program (SFCP)

A voluntary State-Federal-Industry cooperative effort established and maintained to reduce the 

occurrence and spread of scrapie, to identify flocks that have been free of evidence of scrapie 

over specified time periods, and to contribute to the eventual eradication of scrapie (formerly 

known as the “Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program”). 

Scrapie Flock Certification Program Standards

Cooperative procedures and standards adopted by APHIS and State scrapie certification boards 

for reducing the incidence, and controlling the spread, of scrapie through certification of enrolled 

flocks. 

Scrapie-positive animal

An animal for which an approved test for scrapie has been conducted with positive results by 

NVSL or another laboratory authorized by the Administrator to conduct scrapie tests in 

accordance with 9 CFR, part 54, through any of the following methods: 

• Histopathologic examination of CNS tissues from the animal for characteristic 

microscopic lesions of scrapie; 

• Protease-resistant protein analysis methods including, but not limited to, 

immunohistochemistry (IHC) and/or Western blotting on CNS and/or peripheral tissue 
 14 

samples from a live or a dead animal. The method must have been approved by the 

Administrator for use on that tissue; 

• Bioassay; 

• Scrapie-associated fibrils detected by electron microscopy; or 

• Any other test method approved by the Administrator in accordance with 9 CFR 54.10. 

Separate contemporary lambing groups 

To be a separate contemporary lambing group, the group must be maintained separately to 

prevent the animals from coming into physical contact with other lambs, kids, ewes, does, or 

birth fluids or placenta from other ewes or does. This separate maintenance must preclude 

contact through a fence during lambing and for 60 days following the date the last lamb or kid 

was born in a lambing season and must preclude using the same lambing facility as other ewes or 

does unless the lambing facility was cleaned and disinfected under supervision of an APHIS 

representative, State Veterinarian’s representative, or an accredited veterinarian between 

lambings in accordance with the guidelines published in the SFCP standards and the Scrapie 

Eradication UM&R. The flock owner must maintain adequate records to document which 

animals were maintained in each contemporary lambing group and to document when cleaning 

and disinfection was performed and who supervised it. 

Slaughter channels

Animals in slaughter channels include any animal sold, transferred, or moved: 

• Directly to a slaughter facility; 

• To an individual for custom slaughter; 

• For feeding expressly to improve the animal’s condition for movement to slaughter; or 

• Through a sale or market expressly for one of these purposes. 

Markets or sale operators must notify buyers when lots of animals in slaughter channels are 

being sold. Sexually intact mature female animals, as evidenced by eruption of the first incisor 

that are maintained in the same enclosure with breeding animals from another flock are not in 

slaughter channels. Animals offered for unrestricted sale are not in slaughter channels. When 

selling animals that may move only in slaughter channels, the owner must indicate on the bill-ofsale that the animals being sold are for slaughter only. 

Source flock

A flock in which a State or APHIS representative has determined that at least one animal was 

born that was diagnosed as scrapie positive at an age of 72 months or less or in which a scrapiepositive animal has resided throughout its life. The determination that an animal was born in a 

flock must be based either on the presence of official identification on the animal traceable to the 

flock, the presence of other identification on the animal that is listed on the bill of sale, or other 

evidence, such as registry records, to show that a scrapie-positive animal originated from the 

flock combined with the absence of records indicating that the animal was purchased and added 

to the flock. If DNA from the animal was collected when the animal resided in the flock of birth 
 15 

by an accredited veterinarian and stored at an approved genotyping laboratory, or if DNA 

collection and storage is required for breed registration and the breed registration has appropriate 

safeguards in place to ensure the integrity of the banking process, the owner may request 

verification of the animal’s identity based on DNA comparison if adequate records and 

identification have been maintained by the owner and the repository to show that the archived 

DNA is that of the animal that has been traced to the flock. A flock will no longer be a source 

flock after it has completed the requirements of a flock plan. 

State

Each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and 

all territories or possessions of the United States. 

State representative

An individual employed in animal health activities by a State or a political subdivision of a State 

who is authorized by the State or political subdivision to perform the function involved. 

State Veterinarian 

The veterinary official of a State authorized by the State to supervise and perform the official 

animal health work of that State. 

Suspect animal

An animal will be designated a suspect animal in accordance with 9 CFR 79.4 if it is: 

• A sheep or goat that exhibits any of the following clinical signs of scrapie and has been 

determined to be suspicious for scrapie by an accredited veterinarian or a State or APHIS 

representative: weight loss despite retention of appetite; behavioral abnormalities; 

pruritus (itching); wool pulling; biting at legs or side; lip smacking; motor abnormalities 

such as incoordination, high stepping gait of forelimbs, bunny-hop movement of rear 

legs, or swaying of back end; increased sensitivity to noise and sudden movement; 

tremor, star gazing, head pressing, recumbency, or other signs of neurological disease; or 

chronic wasting; 

• A sheep or goat that has tested positive for scrapie or for the protease-resistant protein 

associated with scrapie on an unofficial test or a screening test; or 

• A sheep or goat whose official scrapie test yielded inconclusive or suggestive results (i.e., 

the NVSL report reads inconclusive or suggestive rather than not detected). 

 

Terminal feedlot

• A dry lot approved by a State or APHIS representative or an accredited veterinarian 

authorized to perform this function where animals are separated from all other animals by 

at least 30 feet at all times or are separated by a solid wall through, over, or under which 

fluids cannot pass and contact cannot occur and from which animals are moved only to a 
 16 

terminal feedlot or directly to slaughter (this means other sheep could be on the same 

premises if they meet this requirement); or 

• A pasture when approved by, and maintained under, the supervision of the State and in 

which only nonpregnant animals are permitted, where there is no direct fence-to-fence 

contact with another flock, and from which animals are moved only to another terminal 

feedlot or directly to slaughter. 

Trace

All actions required to identify the flock of origin or destination of an animal. 

Unofficial test

Any test for the diagnosis of scrapie or for the detection of the protease-resistant protein 

associated with scrapie in a live or dead animal that either has not been approved by the 

Administrator or that was not conducted at an approved diagnostic laboratory. 

Veterinary medical officer (VMO) 

A veterinarian employed by, or acting at the direction of, the State or APHIS. 
 17 

Part II—Administrative Procedures 

A. Supervision of the Cooperative State-Federal-Industry Scrapie Eradication 

Program

Full-time animal health officials employed by the State or the Federal Government will supervise 

the Cooperative State-Federal-Industry Scrapie Eradication Program. APHIS may execute a 

cooperative agreement and/or memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the animal health 

agency of any State to administer the scrapie eradication program cooperatively within that State. 

B. Appointing DSEs

The selection and appointment of DSEs will be made jointly by the State animal health official 

and AVIC with the concurrence of the APHIS Regional Scrapie Epidemiologist and the APHIS 

National Scrapie Program Coordinator. (See VS Memorandum No. 557.3.) 

C. Administrative review of program activities and progress

Administrative review of a State's scrapie program will consist of the following: 

• Ongoing review by VS personnel at the local and national levels of program activities 

and records, including evaluation of information entered into the SNGD by State and/or 

Federal animal health officials in each of the States. 

• Review of epidemiological reports submitted by the DSE(s) in the State to the Regional 

and National Scrapie Epidemiologists. 

• Review of applications for renewal or reclassification of a State as described in part IV of 

these UM&R. 

• Site visits conducted in accordance with VS Memorandum No. 515.1. 

D. Identification and recordkeeping compliance 

 

The State must have the authority and take regulatory action to ensure that the following persons 

maintain records to enable State or APHIS authorities to trace exposed, high-risk, and/or scrapiepositive or suspect animals to all flocks in which they have resided and to determine their final 

disposition: 
 18 

• Persons who purchase, deal in, or sell sheep over 18 months of age as well as breeding 

sheep or goats; 

• Persons who act as commission representatives or brokers of such animals; and 

• Persons who operate or conduct an auction at which sheep or goats are sold. 

Action must be taken in the following cases: 

• There is adequate evidence to establish that the person had the intent to violate or 

circumvent recordkeeping or identification requirements of this section, other animal 

health regulations, or both; 

• The person has repeatedly demonstrated an unwillingness to keep required records or to 

identify animals, thus impeding the tracing of exposed, high-risk, or scrapie-positive or 

suspect sheep or goats that he or she has handled. 

Under the State’s authority, State’s must have provisions so that State animal health officials can 

institute any action at law or in equity that appears necessary to enforce compliance with animal 

identification and recordkeeping requirements under these UM&R. Possible actions include the 

authority to subpoena appropriate records and persons who allegedly have violated these 

standards. The appropriate State officials must also have authority to petition the local court that 

has jurisdiction for an order to enforce these subpoenas. 

E. Requirements for program personnel entering premises 

Persons working on the Scrapie Eradication Program must be employees of the State or APHIS 

or be authorized by the State or APHIS to carry out program procedures. While on those 

premises, they must use sanitary procedures to minimize the risk of physically transmitting 

scrapie and other diseases to other premises. 

F. Providing services to livestock owners 

Program services may be rendered without charge to the livestock owner. However, owners are 

responsible for providing facilities and for handling their animals. Program administrators may 

contract with accredited veterinarians, paraprofessionals, other State and Federal agencies, or the 

management of privately owned firms, as needed, to assist State and Federal animal health 

officials in collecting blood or tissue samples, in identifying animals, and in performing other 

specified activities. 
 19 

G. Exceptions to the deadline(s)

Program officials must follow deadlines for the flock plan, investigation, and testing except 

when a DSE determines that there are extenuating circumstances. The extenuating 

circumstances must make it impossible to meet the deadline established for a particular flock. 

The DSE must immediately set a new deadline in consultation with the flock owner or his or her 

representative. The new deadline must be consistent with the principles of the Scrapie 

Eradication Program. 

H. Whole-flock depopulation

State or Federal officials of the Scrapie Eradication Program will review sheep and goat flocks 

for whole-flock depopulation, with indemnity, based on the prevalence and epidemiology of the 

infection. In States that have been classified as free of scrapie, all newly disclosed affected 

flocks must be reviewed for possible depopulation with indemnity. 

I. Indemnity

 1. Animals eligible for Federal indemnity payments 

Federal indemnity may be paid for an animal only after its owner has applied for 

indemnification and been approved in accordance with 9 CFR 54.4. Federal 

indemnity may be paid only for the following:

• Destruction of high-risk animals and male genetically susceptible exposed 

animals. If a genetic plan is used, exposed ewes will be genotyped, and 

only those designated as genetically susceptible exposed animals or that 

are restricted or requested for sampling by the DSE will be indemnified. 

If a 9 CFR plan is used, the 9 CFR definition of high-risk will be used; 

• Destruction of animals based on an epidemiological investigation when 

the authorized APHIS representative determines that destroying these 

animals will contribute to eradicating scrapie; 

• Destruction of live scrapie-positive animals; 

• Destruction of animals that test positive on a live-animal screening test; 

• Destruction of suspect animals that are destroyed at the request of an 

APHIS representative. 

 

2. Requirements of flock owners to receive indemnity

Before any indemnity is paid to owners, they must be in compliance with the 

flock cleanup and monitoring plans, including the provision of records and a 

signed request for release of all records from any breed association with which 

they have registered animals. 
20

 3. Amount of indemnity payments

Federal indemnity: Federal indemnity will be paid in accordance with 9 CFR, 

part 54, and will be based on price reports provided by USDA’s Agricultural 

Marketing Service as described in 9 CFR 54.6. Spreadsheets are posted on the 

APHIS Scrapie Program QuickPlace to assist Federal and State representatives 

with calculation of indemnity. 

State-Industry indemnity: State and/or industry indemnity may be paid in 

addition to Federal indemnity in accordance with State regulations and/or industry 

guidelines up to the fair market value of the animal. 

 4. Indemnity procedures for animals destroyed

Animals for which indemnification is sought must be destroyed in accordance 

with 9 CFR 54.7. Animals that are not scrapie positive, or suspect animals for 

which indemnification is sought, may be slaughtered when moved in accordance 

with 9 CFR, part 79, and with the prior written approval of the APHIS 

representative involved. 

The destruction of animals and disposition of their carcasses must be monitored 

by an APHIS representative. State personnel may conduct or supervise these 

activities including signing the valuation portion of VS form 1–23 when 

authorized and monitored by APHIS. The AVIC must review and sign VS form 

1–23. Prior to the destruction of any animal for which indemnity will be claimed, 

the AVIC must submit a request for indemnity and get approval from the 

Regional Scrapie Epidemiologist. APHIS may pay, when approved in advance in 

writing, the reasonable and customary costs of disposal for scrapie–positive and 

suspect animals. The owner of the animals must present to APHIS a copy of 

either a receipt for expenses paid or a bill for services rendered. 

J. Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) for sheep and goats in interstate commerce 

State importation requirements may vary, so you should check each State’s importation 

requirements prior to sending the animals. CVIs are required by USDA for breeding2

 sheep and 

goats that cross State lines except for: 

• Sheep and goats being moved for grazing without change of ownership; 

 

2

 Breeding sheep and goats are any sexually intact sheep or goat that is not moving directly to 

slaughter, through slaughter channels to slaughter, or to a feedlot to enhance its condition for 

movement to slaughter. 
21

• Low-risk commercial sheep that require an owner and veterinary statement instead of a CVI; 

and 

• Low-risk commercial breeding goats. (Note: An owner and veterinary statement is not

required unlike low-risk commercial sheep.) 

Note: CVIs may be required for other classes or types of sheep or goats by some States. 

CVIs will be considered to meet the intent of 9 CFR 79.5(a) if they include: 

• Either the animal’s official individual identification number(s) or the flock of origin’s 

premises identification number; 

• The number of animals covered by the CVI; 

• The purpose of the movement; 

• The points of origin and destination; 

• The name and address of the consignor and consignee; and 

• A statement by the issuing accredited, State, or Federal veterinarian that the animals were not 

exhibiting clinical signs associated with scrapie at the time of examination. (CVIs that have 

certification statements indicating that “the animals have no history of clinical signs or 

exposure to contagious or infectious diseases,” or words to that effect, will suffice in lieu of 

the specific scrapie statement.) 

Note: These requirements apply only to the classes of animals that are required to have CVI by 

USDA. 

K. Permits 

A permit (VS form 1–27 or State equivalent) is required for movement of high-risk, suspect, 

scrapie-positive, and some exposed animals. (See section M of this part for exposed animals that 

require a permit to move.) Such animals moving intrastate may move under conditions specified 

by the State Veterinarian that ensure that these animals are destroyed or maintained under 

restriction. 

L. Records of terminal feedlots

 

Records of all animals entering and leaving a terminal feedlot must be maintained for 1 year after 

the animal leaves the feedlot and must include the person from whom the animals were acquired 

and the slaughtering facility in which they were slaughtered. Records must be made available 

for inspection by an APHIS or State representative during normal business hours. 
22

M. Movement restrictions, release procedures, and criteria for releasing movement 

restrictions on infected or source flocks, animals required for testing, and exposed animals 

The movement restrictions are summarized in Table 1. 

1. No sexually intact animal will be permitted to move from an infected or source 

flock, except under permit, and then only to slaughter, for destruction, or to a 

research or diagnostic facility until a flock plan agreement has been signed and 

the owner is in compliance. The movement restrictions on the flock and criteria 

for release of these restrictions will be specified as part of the flock plan or 

PEMMP. 

2. The following animals may be moved unrestricted once they have been officially 

identified and entered into the SNGD: 

• Genetically resistant exposed sheep; 

• Genetically less susceptible exposed male sheep; 

• Genetically less susceptible exposed female sheep that are not restricted by 

the DSE; and 

• Low-risk exposed animals in flocks that are in compliance with a plan, or that 

are in flocks not required to be on a plan. 

These animals are not required to be listed as exposed animals on certificates of 

veterinary inspection. They must meet the other CVI requirements for animals of 

their species, age, and intended use as listed in 9 CFR 79.3. 

3. Genetically less susceptible exposed female sheep that are restricted by the DSE 

may move only as permitted in the flock plan or PEMMP. The DSE, with the 

concurrence of the AVIC and State Veterinarian, may also require the removal or 

restriction of some or all genetically less-susceptible female animals in flocks 

based on the epidemiology of the flock including genetics of the positive sheep, 

the prevalence of scrapie in the flock, any history of recurrent infection, and/or 

other characteristics that may make these sheep a potential risk. If removal with 

indemnity is being considered, the Regional Scrapie Epidemiologist must be 

consulted to determine if indemnity is available. 

4. Genetically susceptible exposed female animals and female offspring of any 

genotype of a scrapie-positive female animal, scrapie-positive animals, and 

scrapie-suspect animals must be restricted to the premises where found or moved 

under permit for destruction or to a research or diagnostic facility. These animals 
23

will be submitted for testing when they die or are euthanized in accordance with 

APHIS policy.

5. Genetically susceptible exposed male animals may be moved only as exposed 

animals in accordance with 9 CFR, part 79, including being listed as exposed 

animals. 

6. Animals from noncompliant flocks may be moved only in accordance with 9 

CFR, part 79. 

7. Animals that have been designated for test as part of a flock investigation must be 

restricted to the premises where found until the required testing is completed 

unless moved under permit to slaughter or to a research or diagnostic facility. 

These animals will be submitted for testing if they die or are euthanized prior to 

completion of the required testing in accordance with APHIS policy. 

8. Exposed wethers of any species or genotype may move unrestricted once they 

have been officially identified and entered into the SNGD. Exposed wethers in 

slaughter channels at under 18 months of age do not require official identification. 
24

Table 1—Restrictions on Exposed Animals 

________________________________________________________________ 

Positive 

animal(s) -----------------------Exposed animals-------------- 

______________________________________________________________________________ 

 Goats QQ Sheep AVQR Sheep AAQR Sheep RR Sheep 

AAQQ sheep Doe — X Ewe — X Free Free Free 

and goats Buck — EX Ram — EX 

 

AV and VV Doe — X Ewe — X Ewe — X Free Free 

sheep Buck — EX Ram — EX Ram — Free 

AAQR Doe — X Ewe — X Ewe — X Ewe — X Free 

sheep Buck — EX Ram — EX Ram — Free Ram — Free 

RR sheep XX XX XX XX XX 

______________________________________________________________________________ 

Positive animal(s) = Positive animal(s) found in or traced to or from the flock in which the 

exposed animal was exposed. If there is more than one type of positive animal, use the genotype 

for the positive animal listed lowest on the chart to determine which animals to remove. 

Free = Move unrestricted (rare exceptions to this general class are listed in part II, M, 3 and 4). 

X = Removed or permanently restricted. 

EX = Removed, retained, or moved as exposed animals. 

XX = Whole flock depopulation (all animals removed or permanently restricted). 

N. SNGD – Data entry requirements 

Complete information is available to data entry persons in the SNGD tutorial. 

Information that must be entered by State or APHIS animal health personnel 

Each premises or person that either (1) is or has been enrolled in the SFCP; (2) is or has been 

designated an infected, source, exposed, flock under investigation, or noncompliant flock; (3) 

owns or has, or has had an exposed, scrapie-suspect, or scrapie-positive animal residing there; or 

(4) has been issued a premises identification number for use as official identification (such as 
25

eartags, backtags, or tattoos) or has been issued tags must have a premises form accurately 

completed and maintained in the SNGD. (Note: The flock’s premises identification number 

must be completed in user field 1 of the premises supplemental form.) 

Each set of serial numbers assigned to a person for use as official identification (such as eartags, 

backtags, or tattoos) and each set or serial of tags issued must be accurately recorded and 

maintained in the miscellaneous form of the SNGD. Each animal that has been designated 

scrapie-positive, scrapie-suspect, high-risk, or exposed or that resides in an infected or source 

flock, or that has been restricted, or that is tested or designated for test must have an individual 

animal record completed and maintained in the SNGD. Individual records should, when 

practical, be completed and maintained for animals in SFCP flocks. A test record must be 

completed and maintained for each animal tested for scrapie or for genetic resistance to scrapie. 
26

Part III—Identification Requirements 

A. Identification of sheep and goats in commerce 

 1. Identification requirements

Animals required to be identified in 9 CFR 79.3 must be officially identified to 

the flock of birth upon change of ownership. In cases where the flock of birth 

cannot be determined, the animal is to be officially identified to the flock of origin 

(flock in which an animal most recently resided for breeding). Allowed 

identification methods are provided in 9 CFR 79.2. (Note: Check with the 

receiving State to ensure that both State and Federal requirements are met.) 

 Animals required to be officially identified include: 

a. All breeding sheep; 

b. All sexually intact animals for exhibition; 

c. All sheep over 18 months of age; 

d. All exposed and high-risk animals including all low-risk exposed animals, 

genetically susceptible exposed animals, genetically less susceptible 

exposed animals, and genetically resistant exposed sheep; 

e. All suspect and test-positive animals; 

f. Animals from noncompliant flocks; and 

g. Breeding goats, except low-risk commercial goats. 

 Animals not required to be individually identified include: 

a. Slaughter sheep (sheep in slaughter channels) under 18 months. Note: If 

a sexually intact sheep is sold at an unrestricted sale (any sale that is not a 

slaughter or feeding for slaughter sale), it must be identified. If these 

animals cannot be identified to flock of origin, they must be identified 

with slaughter only tags; 

b. Wethers for exhibition and wethers under 18 months of age; 

c. Slaughter goats (goats in slaughter channels); 

d. Low-risk commercial goats; 

e. Animals shipped directly to an approved slaughter facility or an approved 

market when all the animals in a section of a truck are from the same 

premises of origin and are accompanied by an owner’s statement. Note: 

The owner’s statement must contain the information needed for the plant 

or market to identify the animals; and 

f. Animals moved for grazing or similar management reasons whenever the 

animals are moved from a premises owned or leased by the owner of the 

animals to another premises owned or leased by the owner of the animals. 
27

2. Issuance of premises identification numbers

The VS Area Office or the State Veterinarian’s office will issue a premises 

identification number to each sheep or goat owner who requests one. The office 

will fill out a premises information form in the SNGD and permanently assign a 

premises number and a premises identification number that will be used on tags or 

as the premises portion of the tattoo; in some States the numbers will be the same. 

All two- and three-character alphabetical sequences must be reserved for use by 

producers who use registered tattoo prefixes. All two- and three-character 

numeric and alphanumeric sequences must be reserved for flocks that participate 

in the SFCP or that use tattoos. When possible, the premises identification 

number for premises with registered tattoo prefixes will be the State postal 

abbreviation followed by the producer’s registered tattoo prefix. Alpha and 

alphanumeric sequences that contain I, O, or Q may not be assigned. 

 3. Allowed tags

Only USDA provided or approved tags will be used. USDA provided tags will 

either have a unique alphanumeric sequence or a premises number and a 

production (animal) number unique within a flock, or a premises number and a 

unique alphanumeric sequence. The premises identification number will be the 

Postal Service State abbreviation followed by up to five alphanumeric characters 

or the national premises identification number. All tags must have the U.S. 

shield. Premises tags produced by approved tag companies will have the 

premises number and a unique production number. Series of alphanumeric 

USDA eartags and backtags may be assigned as premises identification if they are 

linked to the premises in the SNGD. 

 4. Issuance of official identification tags to persons other than producers

The VS Area Office or the State Veterinarian’s office for the State in which that 

person maintains his or her place of business will assign a person number, when 

requested, to each accredited veterinarian or regulatory person and a premises 

number and premises identification number to persons who handle sheep and 

goats in commerce and will issue official USDA serial number backtags or 

eartags to these persons when requested. Premises eartags will not be issued to 

persons who do not maintain breeding flocks. 
28

The official responsible for issuing eartags in a State may assign serial numbers of 

official eartags to other responsible persons if the State animal health official and 

the AVIC agree that such assignments will improve scrapie control and 

eradication within the State and if appropriate records are maintained to permit 

traceback of animals to the flock of origin and flock of birth. 

 

 5. The owner of the flock of origin is the primary person responsible for 

officially identifying animals

The owner of the flock of origin or his or her agent must officially identify any 

animal that requires official identification before putting it in the same enclosure 

with animals from a different flock of birth. This will enable sheep or goats to be 

identified to their flock of birth. Animals born on a premises do not have to be 

identified when officially identified animals from another flock of birth are added 

to the premises. 

 

Producers are strongly encouraged to identify their animals officially before the 

animals leave their premises whenever it is practical to do so to prevent any error 

from occurring in the later identification of the animals and to ensure that they 

will meet the interstate movement requirements. 

If official identification has not been placed on the animal by the owner before 

leaving the flock of origin, the owner must ensure that the animal is officially 

identified before it is put in the same enclosure with animals from a different 

flock of origin and before change of ownership. 

 

 6. Responsibility of persons handling sheep and goats in commerce to identify 

animals

A person who delivers an animal that is required to be identified to a place where 

it will be put in the same enclosure with animals from a different flock of origin 

must ensure that the animal is officially identified to its premises of origin before 

putting it in the same enclosure with animals from a different flock and before a 

change of ownership. 

A person who receives an animal that is required to be identified at a site where it 

will be commingled must ensure that the animal is officially identified to its 

premises of origin before putting it in the same enclosure with animals from a 

different flock and before change of ownership. 

 
29

 A person cannot move animals lacking the required identification that have been 

put in the same enclosure with animals from a different flock of origin unless they 

are identified in accordance with 9 CFR 79.2(a)(3). (This section requires that all 

possible flocks of origin be recorded.) 

 7. Premises and individual identification 

Premises identification may be used as official individual animal identification if 

the premises identification method either includes a unique production number or 

is combined with a flock eartag that has a unique production number. Official 

individual animal identification may be used as premises identification if the tag 

numbers have been assigned to the flock of origin by a State or Federal animal 

health official and have been linked to the premises of the flock of origin in the 

SNGD and the animals are accompanied by an owner statement. 

8. Restrictions on the application of premises identification 

No person will apply a premises identification number or a brand or ear notch 

pattern to an animal that is not from the flock of origin to which the number was 

assigned by a State or APHIS representative or to which the brand or ear notch 

pattern has been assigned by an official brand registry. This prohibition includes 

individual identification (such as USDA tags and backtags) that has been assigned 

to a premises for use as premises identification and registration tattoos that 

contain prefixes that have been assigned to a premises for use as premises 

identification. This procedural requirement does not prevent an owner from 

applying his or her premises identification to an owned animal as long as it is also 

identified to its premises of origin or birth. 

 

 9. Restrictions on the removal of official identification

No person will remove or tamper with any official identification device. At the 

time of slaughter, animal identification must be maintained throughout 

postmortem inspection in accordance with regulations of USDA’s Food Safety 

and Inspection Service.

 10. Loss of ability to apply official identification

Any person who fails to comply with part III, Identification Requirements, must 

not be assigned serial numbers of USDA backtags, official sheep and goat tattoos, 

official eartags, or premises identification numbers. 

 11. Identification of scrapie-suspect, scrapie-positive, scrapie-exposed, and highrisk animals including all low-risk exposed animals, genetically susceptible 

exposed animals, genetically less-susceptible exposed animals, and genetically 

resistant exposed sheep
30

 a. The identification device required is an official metal eartag, official 

tamper-resistant plastic eartag, or another official identification device 

approved for this use by APHIS. Other official identification may be used 

when eartags cannot be used due to the absence of ears or similar 

problems. Animals other than RR sheep that are not removed will also be 

identified with an electronic identification device (EID) and be recorded in 

the SNGD. 

 b. Animals that are positive on an official live-animal test will be identified 

with a red metal tag. Only APHIS or State representatives may acquire 

official red metal tags. 

c. All other animals will be identified with either a white or blue eartag. 

Blue tags are for animals in slaughter channels only. 

d. Tag application must be done by, under the supervision of, or verified by 

an APHIS or State representative or an accredited veterinarian authorized 

by APHIS or the State to perform this function. 

All forms of identification on suspect, positive, exposed, and high-risk animals 

(including low-risk exposed animals, genetically susceptible exposed animals, 

genetically less susceptible exposed animals, and genetically resistant exposed 

sheep) must be recorded on VS form 5–20 or equivalent and forwarded to the 

DSE and the VS Area Office. The AVIC must ensure that an individual animal 

record is created for each animal in the SNGD. 

 

B. Records of animals handled 

Persons who maintain records as indicated below will be considered in compliance with 

the intent of the recordkeeping requirements described in 9 CFR 79.2, Identification of 

sheep and goats in interstate commerce. 

 1. General requirements

 a. Persons who purchase, acquire, sell, or dispose of sheep and goats that are 

required to be identified by the regulations in 9 CFR 79.2 and 79.3 must 

officially identify the animals as to their premises of birth or origin if they 

are not already officially identified. (Persons may not sell or dispose of 

unidentified animals that are required to be identified unless arrangements 

have been made with the person acquiring the animals to act as his or her 

agent to identify the animals. Persons may not purchase or acquire 

unidentified animals that are required to be identified unless they identify 

them while acting as an agent for the person disposing of the animals.) 

 b. Persons who purchase, acquire, sell, or dispose of sheep and goats, 

whether or not the animals are required to be identified, must maintain 
31

business records (such as yarding receipts, sale tickets, invoices, and 

waybills) for 5 years. These records must include the information 

described in number 3 below, “Records required of persons who 

purchase, acquire, sell, or dispose of animals.” 

 c. For the purpose of officially identifying animals that are changing 

ownership, the person purchasing or acquiring the animals may act as an 

agent for the person disposing of or selling these animals. 

 d. Animals that lose their official identification may be retagged, provided 

that all possible flocks of origin are listed in the record describing the new 

identification that is applied. 

 e. Low-risk commercial sheep, as well as goats that would qualify as 

commercial low-risk goats except for their being commingled with lowrisk commercial sheep, may be identified using an official premises 

eartag rather than a registered brand. 

2. Records required of persons who apply official identification to animals 

 a. Persons who apply official identification assigned directly to the owner 

of the premises of origin of the animal must maintain the following 

records: 

(1) The date the animals were officially identified; 

(2) The number of sheep and the number of goats identified; 

(3) The premises number or serial numbers applied. (Note: Preexisting 

tags do not have to be recorded, although this is encouraged.); and 

(4) For animals born after January 1, 2002, in another flock and not 

already identified to flock of birth, the name and address of the owner 

of the flock of birth, if known. 

 b. Veterinarians, dealers, or market personnel who apply official 

identification that is not assigned to the owner of the premises of origin 

of the animal in the SNGD must maintain the following records: 

 (1) For animals that have official identification: 

 (a) The date tagged; 

(b) The number of sheep and the number of goats identified; 

(c) The serial numbers applied. (Note: Preexisting tags do 

not have to be recorded although recording is 

encouraged); and 

(d) The name and address of the person who owns the 

animals. 

 (2) For animals without official identification: 

 (a) The date tagged; 
32

(b) The number of sheep and the number of goats identified; 

 (c) The serial numbers applied; 

(d) The name and address of the owner of the flock of origin; 

(e) If the person who currently owns the animals is different 

from the owner of the flock of origin or birth, the current 

owner’s name and address; and 

(f) If the owner of the flock of birth is different from the 

owner of the flock of origin, and if the animals were born 

after January 1, 2002, the name and address of the owner 

of the flock of birth, if known. 

 3. Records required of persons who purchase, acquire, sell, or dispose of 

animals

 a. Persons who purchase or acquire sheep or goats must maintain normal 

business records that include the following information: 

 (1) The number of animals purchased or acquired; 

 (2) The date of purchase or acquisition; 

(3) The name and address of the person from whom the animals were 

purchased or otherwise acquired; 

(4) The species and breed or class of animal; 

(5) A copy of the brand inspection certificate for animals officially 

identified with brands or ear notches; and 

(6) CVI when required. 

 b. Persons who sell or dispose of sheep or goats must maintain normal 

business records that include the following information: 

 (1) The number of animals sold or disposed of; 

 (2) The date of sale; 

 (3) The name and address of the buyer or person who acquired the 

 animals; 

(4) The species and breed or class of animal; 

 (5) A copy of the brand inspection certificate for animals officially 

 identified with brands or ear notches; and 

 (6) CVI when required. 

4. Keeping of records

 Each person required to keep records under this paragraph must maintain the 

records for at least 5 years after the person has sold or otherwise disposed of the 

sheep or goat to another person. This records-retention requirement may be 

extended for such further period as the Administrator may require by written 

notice to the person, for purposes of any investigation or action involving the 
33

sheep or goat identified in the records. The person must make the records 

available for inspection and copying during ordinary business hours (8 a.m. to 

5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday) by any authorized USDA or State employee 

upon that employee’s request and presentation of his or her official credentials. 
34

Part IV—Shows and Sales 

Official identification is required for any sexually intact animal to be exhibited. 

Whenever practical, ewes over 12 months of age (as evidenced by eruption of the first 

incisor) should be housed in separate enclosures from animals from different flocks. Pens 

used by mature female sheep and goats should be thoroughly cleaned and all organic material 

removed before use by an animal from another flock. 

All sheep and goats from SFCP-enrolled flocks must be housed and handled to prevent direct 

contact with female sheep and female goats from other flocks of lower status. Spacing 

sufficient to prevent contact or solid partitions may be used to maintain separation. Pens 

must be thoroughly cleaned and all organic material removed before use by an animal from 

an SFCP flock. 

If sheep or goats (other than low-risk goats, see definition) that are within 30 days of 

parturition (or that are postpartum, have aborted, or are pregnant and have a vaginal 

discharge) are allowed at a show, special arrangements must be made to keep them separate 

from sheep and goats from different flocks such that direct contact does not occur and to 

keep them in an area that will be properly cleaned and disinfected. 

Should a lambing or kidding occur at the show, the placenta, placental fluids, and soiled 

bedding must be removed immediately and disposed of in a sanitary landfill or by another 

method approved by the State. The dam and her offspring will be removed from the show 

grounds or separated from sheep and goats from different flocks using spacing or solid 

partitions such that direct contact does not occur. The pen must be thoroughly cleaned and 

disinfected before use by another animal. 
35

Part V—Program Stages

A. Standards for State programs to qualify as consistent

Consistent State status is granted to qualified States by the Administrator in accordance with 

9 CFR 79.6. 

B. Scrapie classification, renewal, or reclassification of State or zone 

1. Purpose: This application is for the annual classification, classification renewal, 

or reclassification of a State for national scrapie status recognition. 

 2. Data source: Area and State offices and the SNGD. 

 3. Action: A completed VS form 5–24 application and report or equivalent must be 

filed by the VS Area Office for each State annually. The completed VS form 5–

24 should be submitted to the Regional Scrapie Epidemiologist within 1 month 

after the renewal due date. The application must be signed by both the State 

Veterinarian and AVIC. The required data include certification statements and 

reports on sheep flock and goat herd-monitoring and testing results in the State; 

the number of positive, high-risk, exposed (broken down by type), and suspect 

animals; quarantines or movement restrictions issued (if any) and release dates; 

slaughter test results; animal tracebacks; a brief summary of the history of scrapie 

in the State; and success in the identification of sheep and goats. 

4. Regional level: The Regional Scrapie Epidemiologists will review the VS form 

5–24 applications for their region for completeness to determine if the State meets 

the requirements in accordance with 9 CFR, part 79, and these UM&R for scrapie 

control and eradication and forward them with a recommendation for approval or 

disapproval to the National Center for Animal Health Programs, Ruminant Health 

Programs (NCAHP RHP). 

 5. National level: The NCAHP National Scrapie Program Coordinator will approve 

all VS form 5–24 applications based on the recommendations of the regional 

epidemiologist. The National Scrapie Program Coordinator will inform the State 

Veterinarian of any change in status or of the renewal of status by letter with 

copies to the Regional Director, Regional Epidemiologist, and AVIC . In cases 

that involve a change in status, the National Scrapie Program Coordinator will 

provide a copy of the application for information and comment to the Scrapie 

Committee of the United States Animal Health Association. APHIS will publish 

changes in status in the Federal Register as an interim rule. 
36

Part VI—Monitoring and Surveillance

A. SFCP 

Copies of the SFCP standards may be obtained on the Internet at 

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/naphs/scrapie or from APHIS, NCAHP RHP, 4700 River Road, Unit 

43, Riverdale, MD 20737–1235. 

B. Scrapie surveillance

Suspect animals at markets or slaughter facilities

Clinically suspect and test-positive animals may not be moved from the premises where 

identified, except under permit, to a research facility designated by APHIS, to a site for 

 destruction, or, when appropriate, to the flock of origin for quarantine. Such animals should be 

placed under movement restriction until an investigation can be done. If the investigation 

concludes the animal is a scrapie suspect, the animal should either be purchased for diagnostic 

purposes and necropsied or maintained under restriction until it either recovers and is released, or 

dies and is necropsied (see part VII, C). 

Mature traceable sheep that are dead or down at a market will be sampled and tested when 

practical to do so. 

Clinically suspect animals at slaughter facilities must be condemned in accordance with regulations 

of USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, and they must be reported to the AVIC so that 

samples can be collected for diagnosis and the carcass can be removed from the food chain. 

Regulatory Scrapie Slaughter Surveillance (RSSS) 

APHIS coordinates sampling and testing of mature traceable sheep at slaughter that have a higher 

than average probability of being scrapie infected. (See VS Memorandum No. 557.11 for sampling 

goals and selection criteria and the Regulatory Scrapie Slaughter Surveillance Handbook for 

detailed sample collection instructions.) 

C. Live-animal surveillance testing 

 States may pilot live-animal sampling programs for at-risk populations on farms, at markets, or as a 

condition to participate in a sale in areas of high scrapie prevalence or in high-prevalence classes 

within an area or for other appropriate reasons. Movement beyond the pilot stage will be based on 

the relative cost of identifying new infected flocks through the piloted method as compared with 

slaughter surveillance. 
37

Part VII—Epidemiology 

A. Introduction 

The designations QQ, QR, and RR refer to the results of an official genotype test conducted at 

codon 171; AA, AV, and VV refer to the results of an official genotype test conducted at codon 

136. For the purposes of these UM&R, H, K, or any amino acid other than R at codon 171 is 

considered the same as Q at codon 171. 

Research indicates that QQ sheep and goats are the most susceptible to scrapie infection; 

whereas QR sheep are much less susceptible, and RR sheep are resistant. Therefore, when 

determining the status of the flock, it is only necessary to test for scrapie in QQ sheep and goats 

unless insufficient QQ sheep and goats are available. In this case, the DSE may require the 

testing of other genetically susceptible, exposed female animals in the flock by IHC on necropsy 

samples. (Note: Very few flocks will have genetically susceptible exposed female animals that 

are not QQ sheep or goats.) 

“Exposed and high-risk animal,” as defined in 9 CFR, part 79, will be used to determine which 

animals to trace out of infected or source flocks. In addition, all sheep and goats residing in 

source or infected flocks whose owners elect to conduct genetic flock plans will be considered 

exposed animals. All high-risk and exposed animals will be further designated as one of the 

following: genetically resistant exposed sheep, genetically less susceptible exposed sheep, 

genetically susceptible exposed animals, or low-risk exposed animals. 

B. Redesignation of high-risk and exposed animals 

High-risk and exposed animals that meet the definition of genetically resistant exposed sheep, 

genetically less susceptible exposed sheep, genetically susceptible exposed animals, or low-risk 

exposed animals will be designated as such. These animals must be officially identified and 

individually listed in the SNGD. 

C. Procedures for investigating a report of a clinically suspicious animal 

 1. APHIS and State representatives will notify each other of a report of a clinically 

suspicious animal. 

 2. The flock will be assigned a number; and if it is not already in the SNGD, it will be 

entered as a premises. A status record will be created that lists the flock status as 

being under investigation (INVEST) with the reason for the investigation status 

coded as suspect (SUSPECT). 
38

 3. A VMO will contact the flock owner. The suspect animal and, when determined to 

be appropriate by the DSE with the concurrence of the State Veterinarian, the flock 

will be placed under a hold order or other appropriate restrictions until the status of 

the animal is determined. 

 4. The owner will be provided with information about scrapie. 

 5. A premises visit will be scheduled as soon as possible but within 7 days of initial 

notification. The visit is to allow the VMO to examine the animal and conduct an 

investigation. 

 6. The owner will be advised not to remove or dispose of the suspect animal (or other 

animals that may display evidence of disease) and to notify the VMO immediately 

if its condition worsens or it dies. 

 7. If upon examining the animal, the VMO determines that clinical signs are 

compatible with scrapie, euthanasia and necropsy will be arranged with the owner’s 

consent. The animal may be purchased for diagnostic purposes if funds are 

available. If the DSE determines that the clinical signs and history make scrapie a 

likely rather than possible diagnosis and the State Veterinarian concurs, the State 

will maintain movement restrictions on susceptible animals in the flock until the 

animal’s status has been determined. 

8. If the owner declines euthanasia of the suspect animal, the VMO will require that 

the animal be held for observation. The owner will be advised to isolate the suspect 

animal from other animals in an area that can be cleaned and disinfected and to 

notify the VMO immediately if its condition worsens or it dies. If the animal dies, 

it must be necropsied, and tissues must be submitted for testing at NVSL. 

Movement restrictions will be maintained on the animal until the animal’s status 

has been determined. If the DSE determines that the clinical signs and history make 

scrapie a likely rather than possible diagnosis and the State Veterinarian concurs, 

movement restrictions will also be maintained on susceptible animals in the flock 

until the animal’s status has been determined. 

 9. Suspect sheep that are not euthanized must be third-eyelid tested and genotyped at 

codons 171 and 136 at VS cost, if funds are available. 

 10. Written instructions will be given to the owner regarding the restrictions, and 

contact information will be provided for use if the animal’s condition worsens or it 

dies. Prompt reporting by the owner is required to ensure that an appropriate 

sample can be collected for diagnostic testing. The owner must be advised, in 
39

writing, that flock status will be jeopardized if he or she fails to promptly request a 

necropsy at the animal’s death or if he or she moves the animal without a permit. 

 

 11. The animal will be inspected at a minimum of every 4 weeks until scrapie is 

confirmed or ruled out and to monitor compliance with movement restrictions. 

Severely affected animals will be observed more frequently. 

 12. If the VMO determines the animal does not have scrapie, movement restrictions 

will be lifted; the investigation status will be closed in the SNGD. 

 

 13. An individual animal record will be created in the SNGD; if scrapie or genetic 

testing is done, a test status will also be opened in the SNGD. (See the APHIS 

Scrapie QuickPlace Web site, 

https://qp01.aphis.usda.gov/QuickPlace/scrapie/Main.nsf?OpenDatabase, for 

additional data entry and tissue collection instructions.) Access to the QuickPlace is 

limited to State and Federal employees. To request a QuickPlace user name and 

password, contact the Scrapie Program Specialist at (301) 734–6954, or by e-mail at 

scrapie_program@aphis.usda.gov. 

D. Procedures for investigating a report of a live test-positive animal

1. APHIS and State animal health officials will be notified by the veterinarian or 

 laboratory that conducted the test, and the first notified will notify his/her 

 counterpart. 

 2. If the flock does not already have an assigned premises number, it will be assigned 

 a number in the SNGD. A status record, with status INVEST and reason 

 SUSPECT, will be generated. (See the APHIS Scrapie QuickPlace for data entry 

instructions.) 

 3. If the test was an official test, the flock will be handled as in part VII, E, of this 

 document. If the test was an unofficial APHIS-sponsored test, the animal will be 

 purchased under the provisions of the APHIS live-animal test agreement. 

 4. If the test was an unofficial test, the animal will be classified as suspect in 

 accordance with 9 CFR, part 79. 

 a. If the animal is exhibiting clinical signs, it should be handled as in part VII, 

C. 

 b. If the animal is a sheep, it will be third-eyelid tested and genotyped at 

codons 171 and 136 with the owner’s consent. (Note: If the owner refuses 

to test, the flock will be designated noncompliant.) 
40

 c. The suspect designation of an animal may be removed by the DSE if: 

(1) The animal is not showing clinical signs of scrapie; the animal is over 18 

months of age and is negative on an official test; or 

(2) If an epidemiological investigation shows the animal is not likely to be 

infected and an official third-eyelid test cannot be done due to lack of 

sufficient tissue or because the animal is a goat. (Note: If the unofficial 

test has a reasonable scientific basis, such as a third-eyelid test at a 

laboratory that has not been approved, or IHC on lymph node or tonsil, 

the animal should not be redesignated unless prion protein scrapie 

(PrPsc) cannot be detected in any tissue at necropsy. Restrictions should 

be placed on the flock pending the results of the necropsy.) 

 d. After all factors are weighed, if there is significant concern that the animal 

may be at risk of having scrapie, the animal will either be purchased for 

diagnostic reasons and necropsied or held for observation. 

 5. An individual animal record will be created in the SNGD. If the animal is 

necropsied or third-eyelid tested, a test status will also be opened in the database. 

(See the APHIS Scrapie QuickPlace for additional data entry and necropsy tissue 

collection instructions.) 

 6. The DSE will submit a summary report to the Regional Scrapie Epidemiologist of 

suspect animals investigated each month by the 15th of the following month. The 

report will include number of suspects investigated and number of infected animals 

found. 

E. Procedures for conducting an epidemiological investigation, managing flocks, and 

reporting results following receipt of NVSL confirmation of a scrapie-positive 

animal either through necropsy samples or third-eyelid testing in a live sheep 

 

1. Responsibilities of NVSL: 

a. Notify the AVIC, either directly or through the RSSS coordinator, that a 

tissue submitted for scrapie testing was positive by an official scrapie test. 

b. Submit tissue for genotyping at codons 171 and 136 and report results to the 

VS AVIC directly or through the RSSS coordinator. 

2. Responsibilities of AVIC/Area Office: 

a. Keep State animal health officials informed. 

b. Assign a field VMO. 

c. Request approval for indemnity from the Regional Office. 

d. Make sure SNGD is updated with accurate flock status, event, and animal 

data. (See section on SNGD.) 
41

e. Provide trace out information to other VS Area Offices as soon as possible 

but no later than 45 days after determination that an out-of-area trace exists. 

(1) The notification should include, when known: 

 (a) Information about the positive animal(s), including date of 

birth, sex, date of death, date of diagnosis, genotype at 

codons 171 and 136, the flock of origin and date of entry 

into the flock if purchased, and whether the animal(s) was 

born on or lambed on the premises where the exposed 

animal resided and the date of each lambing; 

 (b) Information about the flock, including the prevalence of 

scrapie in the flock, the genotypes affected, the genotype of 

the animal being traced, the prevalence of scrapie in the 

birth cohort of the animal being traced, date of birth of all 

positive animals in the flock, and whether the DSE 

determined that some or all QR sheep should be removed 

or restricted, which ones, and why; and 

 (c) Information about the exposed animal being traced, 

including identifying marks or numbers, the name and 

address of the person to whom it was sold or otherwise 

disposed, date of birth, breed, sex, genotype at codons 171 

and 136, the flock of origin and date of entry into the flock 

if purchased, date the animal left the flock, and whether the 

animal was a part of any distinct group that would affect its 

exposure risk, such as offspring of a female positive 

animal, twin of a positive, and maintained in separate 

group. 

 (d) If additional information is obtained after the trace is 

initiated, it should be forwarded to the AVIC in the 

receiving State. Once notified, the AVIC is responsible for 

the steps listed in VII, F, below. 

f. Assign additional field VMOs if needed to investigate within area traceouts. 

g. Request records from breed registries. 

h. Officially notify the owner of the flock under investigation of infected 

and/or source status designation as required by 9 CFR, part 79. 

i. If the positive animal was not born into the flock and was diagnosed as 

scrapie positive at an age of 72 months or less, an investigation will be 

initiated to determine the source flock. 

 (1) If the flock of birth is in the same VS area, a pending designation status 

will be opened for the birth flock, and an investigation will be initiated. 

 (2) If the birth flock is out of the VS area, notification must be made to the 

AVIC and the Regional Scrapie Epidemiologist of the birth flock’s State 
42

as soon as possible, but within 45 days. The receiving VS Area Office 

will initiate data entry and the investigation of the birth flock. The 

receiving VS Area Office will notify the Regional Scrapie 

Epidemiologist and the sending VS Area Office of the outcome of the 

investigation. 

j. If the positive animal is a female over 12 months of age that has not resided 

in the flock for its entire adult life, an investigation must be conducted to 

determine if it has lambed in any other flock. If such a flock is identified, 

that flock must be designated infected and handled as such. Notification of 

AVICs of out-of-area potentially infected flocks will be handled the same as 

out-of-area potential birth flocks described above. 

3. Responsibilities of the State Veterinarian: 

a. Issue and enforce a hold order for all sexually intact sheep and goats on the 

premises and when appropriate for all sheep and goats owned by the 

owner(s) of the flock and/or premises until the owner has signed and is in 

compliance with a flock plan. Once an owner is in compliance with a flock 

plan, the State Veterinarian may modify the order to include only those 

sheep or goats that are required to be restricted or destroyed under the flock 

plan. 

b. Others as mutually agreed or as provided for in an MOU or cooperative 

agreement. 

4. Responsibilities of field VMO: 

a. The VMO will contact the owner and schedule a visit within 7 days of 

receipt of the NVSL report. Before the initial visit the VMO should: 

(1) Review the flock cleanup plans in part VIII so that he or she can advise 

the producer of the options that are available. The species and genotype 

of the positive animal and the epidemiology of the flock will determine 

the type(s) of flock plans that may be offered to the producer. (Note: In 

nearly all cases, a standard genetic based flock cleanup plan will be the 

best option for the producer if the producer wants to stay in the sheep 

business.); 

(2) Determine whether indemnity funds are available; and 

(3) Review requirements and procedures for approval of plans with the 

DSE. 

b. During the initial visit, the VMO will complete c-f(6) below. 

c. Confirm the identity of the positive animal. 

d. Inform the owner about the results of the diagnostic tests and about his or 

her responsibilities under the program. 

e. Provide the owner information about scrapie and its control. 
43

f. Determine if the flock is an infected or source flock. If the flock is 

determined to be an infected or source flock: 

(1) Work with the State to make sure a hold order is issued for all sexually 

intact sheep and goats and sheep and goat embryo’s on the premises and 

when appropriate for all sheep and goats including embryos owned by 

the owner(s) of the flock and/or premises. 

(2) Inventory all sheep and goats and sheep and goat embryos on the 

premises and apply official eartags to the animals. An inventory will list 

all identification present on the animal, the sex, age, and the breed or, if 

breed is unknown, the color and any other identifying marks (the 

inventory should be documented in SNGD with an event summary 

record and individual animal records created). 

(3) If indemnity funds are available, provide a copy of the indemnity 

spreadsheet to the owner. 

(4) Advise the producer of the cleanup plan options that are available. 

(5) Confirm the status with the DSE and report the information to the Area 

Office for entry into SNGD. If the status cannot be immediately 

determined, a PDESIG status should be entered. 

(6) Collect the additional information needed to complete the 

epidemiological investigation report. (See epidemiological report 

described in part X.) 

(7) Prepare a flock cleanup plan and PEMMP using one of the standard 

templates available on the APHIS Scrapie QuickPlace and have the DSE 

approve the plans. Once the DSE has approved the plans, the VMO will 

review the plans with the producer and have the producer sign the plans. 

If the producer has owned any registered sheep, he or she must also sign 

a records release request for each registry. 

(8) Once the flock plan and PEMMP are signed, follow the steps outlined in 

part VIII for the plan selected and have a PLAN and PPLAN status 

entered in SNGD. 

(9) Determine whether each animal is suspect, high-risk, scrapie positive, or 

exposed. Animals that are no longer in the flock for which there is 

insufficient information to designate them will be treated as genetically 

susceptible exposed animals until they are genotyped. 

 (10) Prepare an indemnity request. 

 (11) In consultation with the DSE, determine the likely date on which the 

premises was infected. In the case of infected flocks, it is the first date 

on which the infected animal could have lambed. In source flocks, it 

should be the beginning of the lambing season in which the positive 

animal was born or 5 years whichever is earlier. 
44

 (12) VS form 5–19, or an electronic equivalent, will be completed, and 

additional information, as listed in part X, will be collected for the 

epidemiologist’s report. Record all sales of animals after the date of 

infection including, when known, the tag numbers, brands, tattoos, and 

any other form of identification or identifying marks or characteristics 

including age, sex, breed, and registration information, and the name and 

address of the person who acquired the animal. Document all steps. 

Provide this documentation, copies of all documents, and either the 

completed epidemiological investigation report or the information 

needed to complete the epidemiological investigation report (as directed 

by your DSE), the signed original flock plan, PEMMP, and request for 

registration records to the Area Office with a copy to the DSE. 

g. If the flock does not meet the definition of an infected or source flock, the 

pending designation status in the database will be closed. If the flock meets 

the definition of a source or infected flock, the pending designation status 

will be closed, and an infected or source status and a hold status will be 

opened in the database. 

5. Responsibilities of DSE: 

a. Ensure that the VMO assigned to conduct an investigation understands the 

process. 

b. Review and approve: 

 (1) The status of flocks. 

 (2) Flock plans. 

 (3) PEMMPs. 

 (4) Designation of animals. 

 (5) Release of exposed, infected, or source flock status. 

c. If the DSE believes that genetically less susceptible ewes should be 

restricted, the DSE must consult with the State Veterinarian and the AVIC 

prior to taking action. With their concurrence, the DSE may require the 

restriction of some or all of the exposed QR ewes in the flock. Removal 

with indemnity must be approved by the Regional Scrapie Epidemiologist. 

Following such a discussion, the DSE will prepare a memorandum giving 

the history of the flock, the decision, and the basis of the decision. 

Following review by all parties, the memorandum will be distributed to all 

States receiving traceout animals from the flock and will be posted on the 

Scrapie QuickPlace. (Note if the codon 136 genotype of the positive 

animals is unknown AVQR sheep may be removed at the discretion of the 

DSE.) 

d. Animals that meet the definition of high-risk or exposed animals and that, 

due to unusual circumstances, are not a significant risk may be redesignated 
45

low-risk exposed animals by the DSE. (See definition of low-risk exposed 

animal.) 

e. If the DSE determines that additional testing is needed to designate the 

flock, a test status will be opened, and the flock will be tested as described 

in VII, G, below. (The DSE may use this option only in cases where the 

scrapie exposure was minor or could not be confirmed.) 

f. Review SNGD to ensure that flock statuses were accurately entered and 

released and animal designations and information were correctly entered in 

SNGD. 

g. Prepare or review indemnity requests for transmittal through the AVIC to 

the Regional Scrapie Epidemiologist. 

h. Prepare or approve the epidemiological investigation report and summary 

for each infected, source, and exposed flock (see part X) and transmit them 

to the Regional Epidemiologist. 

6. Responsibility of Regional Scrapie Epidemiologist for infected and source 

flocks: 

a. Monitor States for compliance with Consistent State status requirements and 

take action to correct shortfalls. 

b. Ensure that all DSEs in the region are properly trained. 

c. Review all epidemiological investigations for compliance with policy and 

maintain a copy of the report for the National Coordinator on the shared 

drive. 

d. Prepare a regional summary report each month that will be submitted to the 

National Scrapie Program Coordinator summarizing the epidemiology, 

status, and final disposition of each infected and source flock. (See APHIS 

Scrapie Program QuickPlace for summary format.) 

e. Review and approve requests for indemnity. 

f. Identify animals to be moved to research facilities. 

 7. Additional details concerning handling of infected and source flocks: 

 a. The infected or source status will be reopened and a noncompliant status 

opened if the flock is found not to be in compliance with the plan. 

 b. All actions required by the plan that are under the control of the flock owner 

will be completed within 60 days. 

 

F. Procedures for investigating and monitoring a flock that has received an exposed or 

high-risk animal (See flowchart in figure 1) 

 1. The flock must be assigned a premises identification number and entered in the 

SNGD as a premises, if not already entered. A status record must be created 
46

 listing the flock status as investigation (INVEST) with the reason for the 

investigation status coded as TRA (trace). 

 2. APHIS and State animal health officials will notify their State or Federal 

counterpart. 

 3. The flock owner will be contacted by a regulatory VMO. 

 a. The high-risk animal(s), any other animals required for testing as part of the 

 investigation, and, when the State Veterinarian determines the 

circumstances warrant it, the flock will be restricted by an authorized 

representative of the State until the status of the high-risk animal and 

animals required for testing is determined. 

 b. The owner will be provided information about scrapie, and a premises visit 

will be scheduled for a VMO to examine the animal(s) and conduct an 

investigation as soon as possible but within 7 days of notification of the VS 

Area Office. 

 c. The owner will be advised to report immediately if the animal dies or is in 

danger of dying. 

 4. If the high-risk and exposed sheep traced to the flock can be positively identified 

and are present in the flock, they will be officially identified and either genotyped 

at codon 171 or in the case of QR sheep, both 171 and 136. 

 Approval from the NCAHP National Scrapie Program Coordinator must be first 

obtained before genotype samples can be submitted to a laboratory for testing. 

An e-mail message must be sent reflecting the following information: name of 

flock, flock premises identification number, type of test requested, reason for test, 

any previous genotype tests performed on the sheep, number of sheep to be tested, 

10-day/5-day turnaround requested. Approval for the codon testing will then be 

e-mailed back to the requestor, as well as which laboratory to send the samples. 

Please see Scrapie Quickplace for further details on this procedure. 

 

 Once a sheep is genotyped, it will be indemnified only if it is designated 

genetically susceptible or needed for study. The genotype of high-risk and 

exposed sheep that the owner wants to keep will be determined at two (Note: The 

need for two tests is under review, and a decision will be made based on an 

analysis of test data) different contract laboratories using samples collected on 

two separate dates unless same day collection is authorized by the Regional or 

National Epidemiologist. In the case of infected flocks, the second collection 

should occur after the genetically susceptible animals have been removed. When 
47

separate collection cannot reasonably be done, the eartag numbers and sample 

labels must be read and checked for accuracy by both the owner or owner’s 

representative and a State or APHIS representative. 

 5. Animals that meet the definition of genetically resistant exposed sheep, 

genetically less-susceptible exposed sheep, genetically susceptible exposed 

animal, or low-risk exposed sheep will be designated as such and may move only 

as allowed in part II, M, of this document. 

 6. The presence of an exposed male animal in a flock will not affect the status of the 

flock. A PEMMP is not required for these flocks if the only exposed animals they 

received were male. Once this is verified, the investigation status is closed. If the 

animal is a genetically susceptible exposed male animal, it will be restricted to 

movement by permit only or when requested by the owner indemnified and 

destroyed. 

 7. INVEST status can be released if: 

 a. All female traced exposed animals can be positively identified and are 

present in the flock; and 

 b. All the female sheep that cannot be redesignated as genetically resistant 

exposed sheep or genetically less susceptible exposed sheep, all female 

offspring of a scrapie-positive female animal, and all the exposed female 

goats are tested by IHC at necropsy and found negative. 

 8. These release reason codes will be used for flocks under investigation that 

received exposed animals: 

 a. LO (flocks in which all traced animals were RR sheep or unrestricted QR 

sheep, or flocks in which some sheep were RR or unrestricted QR and 

some were necropsied); 

 b. QRRES (flocks that retain genetically less-susceptible exposed sheep that 

are restricted); or 

 c. ESN (flocks in which all traced animals were necropsied). 

 9. LO and ESN flocks will not have PEMMPs. 

 10. The INVEST status will be closed, an exposed flock status will be opened, and a 

full PEMMP will be done if a genetically susceptible exposed female sheep is 

retained. The PEMMP (see format posted in the APHIS Scrapie QuickPlace) will 

require: 

 a. The testing of all the genetically susceptible exposed female animals and 

any restricted genetically less susceptible exposed sheep by third eyelid, 
48

immediately, and by IHC when they die or are culled, and any genetically 

susceptible female animals born after the high-risk animal was introduced 

that die at over 14 months of age; and 

 b. A negative third-eyelid test before sale of any genetically susceptible 

female sheep born in the same or subsequent lambing season that the highrisk animal lambed unless sent direct to slaughter. 

 c. These flocks will remain in exposed flock status until the PEMMP is 

completed. 

 11. If all exposed female goats are not tested by an approved test at necropsy, the 

flock will be placed on a full PEMMP and remain in exposed status for 5 years or 

until all the exposed female goats die and are tested by an approved test. 

 12. If high-risk female animals that may have lambed in the flock (“may have 

lambed” refers to any ewe old enough to lamb unless it can be documented that 

she did not lamb) are no longer available (sold, died, cannot be positively 

identified, etc.): 

 a. Their progeny and any birth cohorts of their progeny remaining in the 

flock, and when appropriate, subsequent lambing cohorts will be 

genotyped. In cases where the exposed animal is believed to be present 

but could be one of several animals, genotype testing of these animals may 

be approved by the Regional Epidemiologist. In cases where there are 

insufficient lambing cohorts to test, the Regional Epidemiologist may 

approve testing of ewes present during the lambing seasons in which the 

missing ewe(s) lambed. 

 b. All the QQs, and, when appropriate, other susceptible sheep over 14 

months of age will be tested by third-eyelid test or IHC at necropsy. 

(Note: Necropsy testing with indemnity must be approved by the 

Regional Epidemiologist, see 14 below for approval criteria.) After 

reviewing the results of the initial test, the DSE will determine whether 

additional testing is required and the type of PEMMP that will be used. 

The decision will be based on the number and percent of valid tests, the 

infection rate and genotype distribution in the source flock, the genotype 

of the positive sheep, if known, and the number of high-risk animals 

missing. The flock will remain in INVEST and TEST status until all 

animals required for test have been tested. (See figure 1.) Once testing is 

completed, the INVEST status will be closed with reason code INFECT or 

STS (statistical sampling). 

c. All animals required for test will be restricted until testing is completed. 
49

Figure 1—Trace High-Risk Animals 

Ewe is in the flock and ID 

is adequate to document

No—Indemnify 

and necropsy 

Can you verify that 

the animal did not 

lamb? 

Does owner want to 

retain ewe? 

Yes—ID and genotype 

Positive 

3d

 eyelid 

Genetically lesssusceptible

exposed ewe** 

Third-eyelid 

test sheep when 

>14 months 

Full PEMMP—required negative 3d

eyelid test at >14 months of 

age and before sale for 

breeding of genetically 

susceptible sheep born in the 

same or subsequent lambing 

season that the genetically 

susceptible exposed ewe lambed 

and necropsy any of these 

animals that are culled or 

found dead at over 14 months 

All high-risk 

animals tested 

t

No 

Yes 

Negative 

Positive 

Release INVEST 

status 

(No PEMMP) 

Infected 

flock 

Positive

Negative 

Release exposed flock 

status and PEMMP 

Genetically 

susceptible 

exposed ewe** 

(recommend 

necropsy) 

Negative or 

Insufficient 

* If ID is not adequate, use 

animal missing flowchart. 

** Apply EID. 

Genetically 

resistant 

exposed ewe 

Release INVEST 

status. (PEMMP

only if ewe 

restricted) 

Can you 

verify that 

the animal 

did not lamb 

in and was 

not born in 

flock? 

Yes No 

Release INVEST 

status(No PEMMP) 

Release INVEST 

status. (If 

animal is 

positive, 

identify all 

the low-risk 

exposed 

animals and 

complete a 

basic PEMMP.)
50

 

Exposed ewe is 

missing

Can you verify that 

the animal did not

lamb? 

Release INVEST 

status

No 

ID and genotype sheep born in 

the flock in the same or 

subsequent lambing season(s) 

that the missing high-risk ewe 

lambed* 

Test at slaughter or 

submit all QQ for 

necropsy. Note: See 

VII, F, 14, for 

limitations on 

indemnity Negative 

3d eyelid test all such QQs 

when they reach 14 months 

Yes

Release exposed 

flock status 

(Basic PEMMP)

Positive 

Infected 

flock 

Negative or 

insufficient 

Basic PEMMP-including a 

list of animals required 

for test. For all QQ ewes 

identified for testing, 3d

eyelid test at 14 months 

of age, negative 3d

 eyelid 

test before sale, and 

require necropsy test of 

all animals required for 

test that are culled or 

found dead at over 14 

months or after they have 

lambed. 

Submit animals with 

insufficient follicles 

for necropsy. Hold all 

too young to test for 

testing or send to 

slaughter 

Negative

All tests negative 

for 5 years 

All QQs 

identified for 

test are 

negative 

Release PEMMP and 

PEXPOSED status 

Release INVEST 

status. (Basic 

PEMMP) 

DSE: Need 

more testing? 

Yes 

No 

Release INVEST 

status 

(Basic PEMMP) 

*These sheep may be limited to 

contemporary lambing groups, if 

large enough, and to animals under 

60 months. If no contemporary or 

subsequent groups are available, 

ewes present when the high-risk 

animal lambed may be tested with 

the approval of the regional 

epidemiologist. 
51

 13. If testing is done, a test status will be opened in the SNGD and released when the 

test results have been entered into the SNGD. Individual records will be made in 

the SNGD for each tested, genotyped, exposed, and high-risk animal. The 

exposed and high-risk animals and any other animals required for test must be 

restricted until the testing is completed and the flock and individual animal 

statuses are determined. All animals determined to be high-risk or exposed must 

be maintained on the premises unless redesignated or moved in accordance with 9 

CFR, part 79. 

 14. The following animals, which are required to be tested for scrapie, may be 

indemnified and tested at necropsy when funds are available and with the 

concurrence of the owner and the Regional Epidemiologist: 

 a. Sheep with insufficient third-eyelid follicles to test. (Note: In the case of 

high-value sheep, two attempts should be made to collect third-eyelid 

biopsies.) 

 b. Sheep designated for testing in cases in which the sheep are under 1 year 

of age (too young to test by third eyelid) and the owner does not want to 

retain the sheep until they are old enough to test. 

 c. Sheep when it is cost effective due to their low value. 

 d. All genetically susceptible female animals in a highly exposed flock when 

recommended by the DSE and approved by the AVIC, the Regional or 

National Scrapie Epidemiologist, and the State Veterinarian. 

 e. Any suspect animal. 

f. Goats. 

Note: Indemnity is not available for animals subsequently required to be tested because 

the owner elected to retain a genetically susceptible exposed animal. 

 15. Owners of flocks under investigation or exposed flocks, who do not make animals 

available for testing, or do not comply with a PEMMP will have their flocks 

designated as noncompliant flocks. 

 16. The DSE must provide a monthly report to the Regional Scrapie Epidemiologist 

detailing the status of, and final disposition of, all high-risk and exposed animals 

traced to the State. 

 17. The Regional Scrapie Epidemiologist will prepare a monthly summary report of 

the investigation and disposition of all traces in the region for the National 

Scrapie Epidemiologist. 
52

Note: All SNGD flock status information should be entered within 1 week and individual 

animal information within 3 weeks of the designation being made by the DSE. 

G. Testing a flock that is pending designation as a source or infected flock to determine 

whether the flock is infected 

 1. Testing of a flock that is pending designation as a source or infected flock to 

determine whether the flock is currently infected, other than by necropsy of all 

genetically susceptible exposed female animals, will be conducted only when the 

DSE determines such testing is needed to properly designate a flock to be a source 

or infected flock. The DSE should make such a determination only when there is 

reasonable doubt that the flock is infected. 

 2. Such testing will require genotyping of all sexually intact sheep 14 months of age 

and older. Only genetically susceptible exposed animals will be tested for 

scrapie. (Note: Only QQ sheep and goats are considered genetically susceptible 

unless a positive QR or RR sheep was identified in the flock of origin of the 

exposed animal.) 

 a. QQ sheep may be tested by third-eyelid biopsy. Goats and other 

genetically susceptible animals will only be tested at necropsy. 

 b. Goats and genetically susceptible sheep that are not QQ should be tested at 

necropsy if there are less than 30 QQ sheep that are available for test or if 

the QQ sheep are not representative of the flock. Examples would include 

animals born on the premises in cases where the QQ sheep are purchased 

additions and goats when the positive animal was a goat or if the goats 

were in a contemporary lambing/kidding group to the positive animal or 

the positive animal’s offspring. 

 3. To detect disease at 1 percent prevalence with 95 percent confidence with liveanimal testing (third eyelid), refer to Table 2 for the number of animals to test for 

various flock sizes. Due to a 40 percent average nontestable rate when the liveanimal test is conducted, 40 percent more animals have been added to each 

sample size.

4. When the potential exposure to a flock was the result of a purchased positive 

female animal possibly lambing in the flock, only animals born after the positive 

animal might have lambed and ewes present during the lambing seasons in which 

the positive female animal resided on the premises will be tested. Such ewes 

must be tested at least 18 months after the last possible lambing of the infected 

animal. If the exposure event occurred recently, and thus high-risk animals have 

not lambed in a subsequent lambing season, a flock plan that requires destruction 
53

of all female genetically susceptible exposed animals from that birth cohort 

should be strongly considered along with testing or removal of other female 

genetically susceptible exposed animals. 

5. To detect disease at 1 percent prevalence with 95 percent confidence by IHC of 

the third eyelid or by necropsy, it is necessary to test, at a minimum, specific 

numbers of genetically susceptible animals depending on overall flock size. 

Table 2 provides the number of animals to test for various flock sizes. Goats and 

sheep that are not of the QQ genotype may be tested only by necropsy. The 

number of valid diagnostic samples required is the same as the number of 

necropsies required when necropsy is used instead of third-eyelid testing. 

Table 2—Testing Schemes 

________________________________________________________________ 

Number of sheep* greater than Number to be sampled by 

14 months of age of QQ genotype third-eyelid test 

________________________________________________________________ 

 <215 Sample and necropsy all 

 animals that have invalid third- 

 eyelid tests results.** 

 215-300 Sample all (minimum of 215 

 valid tests) 

 301-400 335 (minimum of 239 valid 

 tests) 

 401-500 358 (minimum of 256 valid 

 tests) 

 501-1,000 410 (minimum of 293 valid 

 tests) 

________________________________________________________________ 

* Goats must be tested by necropsy only. 

** Sensitivity = 88 percent and specificity = 100 percent are assumed. The confidence level in 

small flocks (fewer than 300) will be less than 95 percent. 
54

Part VIII—Flock Cleanup Plans 

A. Movement restrictions on animals in flocks in plan status 

 

See part II, M, of this document and the standard flock plan formats provided by APHIS. 

B. Requirements for flock plans and PEMMPs 

 1. A flock plan and PEMMP will be prepared by the VMO using the standard plan 

formats posted in the APHIS Scrapie QuickPlace. The species and genotype of the 

positive animal and the epidemiology of the flock will determine the type(s) of 

flock plan that may be offered to the producer. The PEMMP selected will be 

determined based on whether any high-risk animals are retained. If no high-risk 

animals are retained, a basic PEMMP should be used. If high-risk animals are 

retained, a full PEMMP will be used. If any retained animals that are required for 

test are not high risk, a basic PEMMP will be used with an attachment listing all 

animals required for test and the type of test(s) required. 

 2. When a flock plan requires an animal to be destroyed, the Regional Scrapie 

Epidemiologist must approve the indemnity and determine if the animals are needed 

for research or developmental projects. 

 3. There are three basic types of flock plans: 

 a. Genetics-Based Flock Plans – General guidelines (see step-by-step instructions 

in part VIII, B, 3, b, below, for standard genetic plan): 

 (1) A genetic plan is preferred for most flocks. When a genetics-based flock 

cleanup plan is used, owners can retain or sell RR sheep, QR rams, and 

most QR ewes without restriction. 

 (2) Genetics-based plans require the removal of all: 

 (a) Genetically susceptible exposed female animals; 

 (b) All test positive and suspect animals; and 

 (c) The female offspring of positive female animals (regardless of 

genotype unless the genotype proves it could not be the offspring 

of the positive animal). 

 (3) Owners should be advised that exposed QQ rams and bucks are unlikely to 

transmit scrapie and exposed QR sheep are unlikely to either contract or 

transmit scrapie. 

 (4) Exposed QQ rams and bucks may be removed at the owner’s request. 

Exposed QQ rams and buck goats that are not removed will be treated as 

exposed animals and must move on a permit. 

 (5) Animals that are not designated genetically susceptible may also be 
55

 removed when requested by the Regional Epidemiologist and agreed by 

the owner in order to provide animals or tissues for study. 

 (6) Any animals that are removed may qualify for indemnity. These animals 

 must be euthanized or moved to a quarantine facility for research. 

 (7) Genetically resistant and genetically less susceptible exposed sheep may 

 be retained or sold without restriction after they have been officially 

identified as described in part VIII, B, 3, (a), (10), below, entered in the 

SNGD, and had their genotype confirmed. 

 (8) Flocks whose owners complete a flock plan where all genetically 

 susceptible exposed female animals are removed will not be considered 

 exposed flocks. 

 (9) In unusual cases where producers need to keep genetically susceptible 

exposed ewes, a genetics-based flock plan that includes third-eyelid 

testing and genetic selection will be used. 

 (10) Exposed animals will be identified with an official eartag. 

 (a) The eartag number and the genotype will be recorded in SNGD. 

 (b) Animals, other than RR sheep, that are not removed will also be 

identified with electronic microchips provided by APHIS. 

 (11) Flocks where all genetically susceptible exposed female animals, female 

offspring of positive female animals, and test positive or suspect animals 

are not removed will be exposed flocks. Accordingly, until the PEMMP is 

completed, these flocks will have movement restrictions placed on these 

animals and in some cases less susceptible female animals residing in the 

flock, including such animals born or brought into the flock. 

b. Steps for completing a Standard Genetic Based Flock Plan – For source and 

infected flocks that retain only QR, HR, and RR ewes and male sheep and 

goats:

(1) Complete the flock plan and PEMMP agreements labeled “For Source and 

Infected Flocks that Retain Only QR, HR, and RR ewes and male sheep 

and goats” posted on the APHIS Scrapie QuickPlace. Have completed 

form reviewed by the DSE and then have the owner sign form. 

(2) Provide an estimate of indemnity and disposal costs through the AVIC to 

the Regional Epidemiologist in the format provided by the regional office. 

Request authorization to submit blood for genotyping. (See instructions 

on the APHIS Scrapie QuickPlace.) 

(3) Bleed all sexually intact sheep for genotyping and send blood to the 

authorized APHIS contract genotyping laboratory. Request codons 171 

and 136 testing on all sheep unless instructed to do otherwise. Do not 

genotype goats. 
56

(4) Designate all animals in the flock as suspects, genetically susceptible 

exposed animals, genetically less susceptible exposed animals, genetically 

resistant exposed sheep, high-risk animals (see UM&R definition), and/or 

low-risk exposed animal. 

 (5) Have DSE review and approve the designations. 

(6) Work with the DSE and AVIC to develop a necropsy (see necropsy 

instructions on the APHIS Scrapie QuickPlace) and disposal plan. 

(7) Complete an indemnity request (VS form 1–23) that includes all suspect 

and high-risk animals; when requested by the owner, male genetically 

susceptible animals; and any other animals required to be in the flock plan. 

Then, have the request reviewed and approved by the AVIC and 

forwarded to the Regional Epidemiologist. 

(8) Depopulate and necropsy indemnified animals. In most cases, all animals 

over 14 months of age should be sampled for scrapie testing and 

postmortem genotyping as described in the necropsy protocol posted on 

the Scrapie QuickPlace. When a large number of animals are involved 

and it is not practical to sample them all, an appropriate statistical sample 

may be taken. In addition, all test positive and suspect animals, any QR or 

RR animals that are destroyed, any animals that may implicate another 

flock, and all offspring of positive female animals must be sampled. 

Animals moved for destruction must move on a VS form 1–27 or State 

equivalent. 

(9) Request authorization to submit blood from remaining sexually intact 

sheep at another contract laboratory to confirm the result at codon 171. 

Sheep and goats, other than RR sheep, that are not removed are identified 

with electronic microchips provided by APHIS. In most cases, this should 

be done at the same time the second bleeding is done. 

 (10) Observe and document cleaning and disinfection of premises. 

 (11) Release infected or source flock status. 

 c. Exposure-Based Flock Plans: These plans require the depopulation of high- 

 risk animals as defined in 9 CFR and any other animals that are required to be 

 removed under a genetic based plan for the flock. This should be done only 

when requested by the owner. 

 d. Whole-Flock Depopulation Flock Plan: Whole-flock depopulation (removal 

of all sexually intact animals) may be used when recommended by the DSE 

and with the concurrence of the owner, AVIC, State Veterinarian, and the 

Regional Epidemiologist or National Scrapie Program Coordinator. Such 

concurrence will be based on the availability of funds and whether a particular 

depopulation will enhance scrapie eradication. Examples of when whole-
57

flock depopulation should be recommended by the DSE for further 

consideration include: 

 (1) Flocks for which the cost of depopulation is less than the cost of 

 conducting another type of flock plan and PEMMP; 

 (2) Any flock in which an RR sheep is determined to be infected; 

 (3) Goat herds; 

 (4) Flocks where infection has recurred after a flock plan was completed in 

 animals born on the premises and where the owner agrees not to restock 

with sheep or goats on the premises for at least 5 years; 

 (5) Flocks in States that have been classified as free of scrapie; and 

 (6) When requested by the owner, when the owner agrees not to restock with 

sheep or goats on the premises for at least 5 years. 

 4. The DSE must review and approve the flock plan and the PEMMP. 

 a. The PEMMP may include enrollment in the SFCP with the subsequent 

requirements for exposed flocks. The flock plan, the PEMMP and, when 

it is a part of the PEMMP, the SFCP application must be signed by the 

flock owner and a State official and/or an APHIS official (this is 

dependent on the delegation of duties within the State). 

 b. A plan status will be entered in the SNGD. Plan status means that a plan 

has been signed and the owner is in compliance with the flock plan. 

 c. All high-risk, exposed, suspect animals, and all animals under the plan 

will also be entered in the SNGD animal sample information form, 

including the genotype of all exposed sheep and any other testing. 

 d. If the infected animal was not born in and did not lamb in the flock, 

cleaning and disinfection can be waived. 

5. Prior to releasing the flock’s plan and infect or source status, completion of the 

flock plan requirements must be verified by the VMO through an inspection, 

inventory, and records review. Upon verification, some or all of the movement 

restrictions may be removed and the flock’s plan and infected or source status will 

be released. The infected, source, hold (hold will remain in place if any restricted 

animals are retained), and plan statuses will be released in the SNGD. A new 

status will be entered (PEPLAN) to indicate that the flock is on a PEMMP. 
58

Part IX—Diagnostic Laboratory Approval Procedures and Test Interpretation

Laboratories will be approved in accordance with 9 CFR and applicable VS memorandums. 

Part X—Reports

Reports will be made in accordance 9 CFR and applicable VS memorandums. Also see part V, 

B, and part VII of this document. 

Epidemiological Investigation Report 

The epidemiological report is prepared by the VMO or the DSE and used to determine which 

animals are designated high risk or exposed, which animals will be redesignated, and which 

other flocks may be exposed, infected, or source flocks. The report will include: 

A. Information about the owner(s): 

 

 1. Name; and 

 2. Address (mailing and physical address, including county, and, where applicable 

 township, section, and/or GPS coordinates). 

B. Information about the positive animal(s), including: 

 1. Date and place of birth or approximate age if date of birth is unknown; 

 

 2. Sex, breed (if breed or cross is unknown, the animal’s color); 

 

 3. Official identification, any other identification, and any distinguishing marks or 

 features; 

 

 4. Date of death; 

 

 5. Genotype at codons 171 and 136; 

 

 6. All flock(s) in which the animal has resided and the dates during which the animal 

resided on each premises, and whether the animal lambed on any of the premises 

and the date of each lambing; and 

 

 7. Results of all scrapie tests conducted. 

 
59

C. Information about the flock, including: 

 1. Address and geographic location; 

 2. An inventory of sheep and goats owned at the time of the first visit and any 

animals added prior to completion of the flock plan. (The inventory will include 

all identification numbers and marks; sex; breed; flock of origin if different; date 

of acquisition; date of birth or approximate age; genotype; if available, thirdeyelid test results; the designation of each animal; whether the animal will be 

indemnified, otherwise disposed of, or retained; any restrictions on animals that 

are not or will not be indemnified; and whether the animal was a part of any 

distinct group that would affect its exposure risk such as offspring of a female 

positive animal, twin of a positive, and maintained in separate group.); 

 

 3. An inventory of animals that have left the premises since the date of introduction 

of infection to the premises as determined by the DSE, or 5 years if a date cannot 

be determined. The inventory will include all information required in part X, C, 

2, above, and the date the animal left the premises, the name and address of the 

person who acquired the animal, or a statement that the animal died, and any other 

information that would allow the animal to be traced and whether the animal is an 

exposed or high-risk animal; 

 

 4. Movements of animals into the flock, including the date acquired, name and 

address of the previous owner, all identification numbers and marks, sex, breed, 

flock of origin if different, date of acquisition, date of birth or approximate age, if 

available genotype and third-eyelid test results, and whether the flock of origin 

has any record of scrapie infection or exposure; 

 

 5. The animals required to be removed and the test results at necropsy will be added 

to the report when available; 

 

 6. Whether any QR animals will be required to be removed or restricted specifying 

which ones and why; 

 

 7. The management and health history of the flock; and 

 

 8. A copy of the proposed flock plan and PEMMP. 

 

The information required for the epidemiological report may be gathered using VS forms 5–19, 

5–20, and 5–18, or the equivalent information may be submitted in Microsoft Access. 
60

The epidemiological report will be provided to the DSE for review. The DSE will determine the 

status of the flock and review and approve the designation of the animals in the flock. The DSE 

will summarize the report and provide a copy to the Regional Scrapie Epidemiologist. 

A copy of the epidemiological report, a copy of the VS form 1–23, and a summary (see APHIS 

Scrapie Program QuickPlace for the summary format) will be provided to the Regional Scrapie 

Epidemiologist by the DSE within 14 days of completion of the flock plan. 

The DSE will send an interim summary report to the Regional Scrapie Epidemiologist for each 

month by the 15th of the following month until the complete report is provided.